Stroke: Everything you need to know

The Stroke Association has launched the UK's first Action on Stroke Month . The campaign is supported by the Wellcome Trust, which has put together this package of information explaining the effects of suffering a stroke, risk factors and healthcare costs Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Common consequences Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Stroke infographic - what are the odds you'll die of stroke? Photograph: Wellcome Trust Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Winning the fight Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Besides age, several factors influence how much you are at risk of a stroke. Some of them relate to a genetic predisposition and need monitoring, but others have to do with lifestyle and can be changed Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Risk factors Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Risk factors Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Risk factors Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Who is affected? Stroke kills more than 49,000 people in the UK per year, but some portions of society are at higher risk. How it affects you could depend on a range of socioeconomic factors including geography, ethnicity and occupation Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Ethnic differences Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Care and costs: Thanks to improving prevention and treatment, fewer people are dying from stroke. But those who survive it need continuing care, especially in their late years. How much does this cost the UK economy? Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Cost breakdown Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust Cost breakdown Illustration: Wellcome Trust Photograph: Wellcome Trust