Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease

Abstract

Stroke occurs in all age groups but is predominantly an age-related syndrome common in older people with multimorbidity and frailty. Many are left disabled with conditions central to the practice of geriatric medicine: many more are affected by chronic stroke disease. Skilled history and physical examination are needed to correctly diagnose patients with stroke. Stroke units, thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy help to reduce major disability and death. Patients suffer significant loss of function following stroke. We must identify this lost function and aim to restore it as much as possible through rehabilitation and support with a multidisciplinary team. Although stroke is often thought of as an acute disease, it is a chronic disease with acute events. Disorders of gait, swallow and cognition in older people are commonly attributable to chronic stroke disease.