Strokes affect around 8,000 people in Ireland every year. In addition to this, there are 30,000 people currently living with the effects of a stroke, and they are the cause of around 800 deaths each year.

A stroke is caused by a loss of oxygen to a particular part of the brain, either due to a blockage or a haemorrhage, with 70% of cases caused by blockages.

The clot which forms can be due to a number of factors such as an irregular heartbeat or a hardening of the arteries. It may occur as a result of poor diet, high blood pressure, being overweight, a lack of exercise, smoking or diabetes.

Dr Ray Walley joined us for his weekly medical slot to explain how to spot the signs of a stroke. The most important things to look out for are facial weakness, arm weakness and speech disturbance, and time is also very important. If you spot any of these signs, you should call the emergency services as quickly as possible.