Stroke is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when a blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or ruptures and bleeds. This condition results in lack of oxygen to brain cells and ultimately leads to brain cell death. 

Stroke can be classified into 2 main categories: 

1. Ischemic stroke: Ischemic stroke happens when there is restricted or hindered blood flow to the brain. The two most common causes of ischemic stroke are cardiogenic cerebral embolism and cerebral arteriosclerosis. These two conditions result in inadequate blood flow to the brain, which can lead to cerebral ischemic or even the death of brain tissue. 
2. Hemorrhagic stroke: Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by vascular fragility from hypertension or loss of vessel elasticity from fat buildup in the blood vessels. These factors make the blood vessels more prone to rupturing, which can lead to intracerebral hemorrhage and subsequent damage to brain tissue.  

Symptoms of stroke 

• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body or the face 
• Slurred speech, crooked mouth, drooping corners of the mouth, drooling, difficulty swallowing 
• Sudden headache, dizziness 
• Sudden blurred vision, double vision or hemispherical vision, or sudden blindness in one eye 
• Staggering, balance problems 

According to the Department of Disease Control, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), stroke is one of the main causes of mortality and disability globally and that its prevalence is steadily rising. 90% of cases of stroke, which affects 1 in 4 adults over the age of 25, can be avoided. According to the Ministry of Public Health’s Public Health Statistics Report, in Thailand, there were 349,126 cases of stroke and 36,214 deaths from stroke in 2023. Additionally, it was reported that the majority of stroke patients were men and most of the deceased were under 70 years old.

“Time” is the most important factor in treating stroke. Bangkok Hospital Phuket uses state-of-the-art tools and techniques to deliver prompt, all-inclusive care that meets international standards. Our hospital has a dedicated stroke rehabilitation ward where patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team that includes dietitians, psychologists, cardiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, stroke specialists, and nurse coordinators in order to provide patients with continuous care. The team members also follow up with patients after they leave the hospital to continue their recovery. Every stage of the patient’s care will contribute to a decrease in the rate of complications and stroke recurrence.  

At Bangkok Hospital Phuket, only 1.542% of patients returned for 1-year stroke recurrence during 2019–2023.  

***Benchmark: Recurrent Ischemic Stroke, A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, Vol 30, No 8 (August), 2021: 105935 (12-14%) *** 

Daily living performance refers to the ability to carry out routine tasks such self-care, hearing, movement, communication, mental, emotional, behavioral, intellectual, and learning (Barthel ADL index** increased greater than or equal to 25 points).  

During 2019-2023, 58.27% of stroke patients who received treatment from rehabilitation physicians at Bangkok Phuket Hospital showed better daily living performance (Barthel ADL index increased more than or equal to 25 points).