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Why Choose Dementech For Stroke Treatment?
- Home to the UK’s leading stroke specialists
- Result from any required tests or scans are available in 48 hours
- Same week consultations and assessments
- Prices starting at £515
- Patient Advisors provide unique treatment plans and advice following your consultation
- Ongoing support for patients and their families
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What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted by a blockage; for example, when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel (artery) and interrupts blood flow to the brain region supplied by that artery. A stroke can also occur when there is a haemorrhage due to a burst blood vessel
(meaning a blood vessel breaks and bleeding starts in an area of the brain).
Every stroke is different, and the symptoms and effects that you experience will vary according to the type of stroke, the part of the brain affected and the size of the damaged area. For some people, the symptoms are severe, but for others they can be quite mild. Nevertheless, people with mild symptoms should also seek urgent attention.
At Dementech, we have teams of experts boasting years of experience supporting patients dealing with mild, moderate and severe stroke symptoms. We have leading technology to help treat strokes, and can provide the necessary tests, scans and test results on the very same day.
The F.A.S.T. Test
The F.A.S.T. test as an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke. Using the F.A.S.T. test involves asking these simple questions:
Face
Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms
Can they lift both arms?
Speech
Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time Is critical.
If you see any of these signs call 999 straight away.
Our Happy Patients
My family and I experienced one of the hardest times of our lives having to deal with my wife’s deteriorating condition. I would like to personally thank the lovely young lady Zobiaa from Dementech, for showering us with compassion, empathy and genuine care and concern. Her professionalism, high-level customer service and communication, eye for detail, and willingness to go the extra mile to accommodate our needs and make not only my wife, but our whole family, feel as comfortable and supported as possible, is something we will always be grateful for. Thank you so much for your friendly and polite presence Zobiaa and taking the time and effort to build a relationship with us. You really made our visits to the clinic a positive, 5 star experience.P Allen
Have had nothing but kindness and professionalism from Dementech and all their staff. From their initial guidance by Shakeela, through to staff conducting the MRI tests and Dr. Lucio D'Anna for his expertise clarity of explanation, compassion and consideration. Special mention to Zobia, who saved the day with her quick thinking that helped my mother-in-law to obtain extended care. Overall a perfect experience. Cannot recommend them enough.N Mohamed
Same Week Consultations
At Dementech Neurosciences we endeavour to see you in the same week of your enquiry if possible. You no longer have to wait to be seen by a specialist. With your consent, our private neurologists can also share your full consultation report with your GP.
Same Week Tests, Assessments & Scans
At Dementech we have available the Stroke Risk Analysis (SRA) clinic. The SRA is a telemedicine service based on an automated software providing automated AF detection. The SRA has been demonstrated to be able to improve AF detection.
Patient Advisor Consultations
This is an opportunity to discuss your condition, and for the Patient Advisor to suggest the most appropriate treatment route to suit your specific needs.
Prices start from £515
Prices for an hour-long consultation start at £515. Each follow up appointment will cost £325. We always maintain full transparency about our costs.
Video Consultations Available
If you can’t make it to our clinic, we offer video consultations on FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Skype. We believe healthcare should be accessible, and make sure to facilitate consultations from anywhere.
Discover More About Strokes
When the supply of blood to the brain is stopped, cells begin to die and the body starts to react, often causing a stroke. There are two main ways that this can happen:
- Ischaemic: The most common cause of stroke. This is when the blood supply to the brain is stopped because of a blood clot. 85% of all strokes are ischaemic.
- Haemorrhagic: When a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes weak, this can result in it bursting. This is a haemorrhagic stroke.
Where in the brain the stroke occurs will affect how you experience the symptoms, and may also have an impact on the severity of these symptoms. This is because different parts of the brain affect different areas of the body.
Conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can all
Increase the risk of stroke. Children can also be affected by strokes, however this is much less common.
Symptoms of stroke
As mentioned, the symptoms of stroke can vary depending on the person and the severity of the stroke. In the majority of cases however, the F.A.S.T test can help to determine whether someone is experiencing a stroke.
The following signs of stroke may occur alone or in combination:
- Face: Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
- Arms: Can they lift both arms?
- Speech: Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
- Time is critical: If you see any of these signs call 999 straight away.
A “mini stroke”, or one presenting some mild symptoms, can sometimes be a warning for a more severe one. It is also important to note that the intensity of the symptoms can fluctuate and can be quite unpredictable. In most cases, the symptoms of stroke come on suddenly, but in a quarter of cases they may come on during sleep, and the symptoms will only be noticed at the time of waking.
Some people also experience a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) which is sometimes referred to as a “mini stroke”. A TIA displays the same symptoms as one would experience with a stroke, only they last just several minutes and disappear completely after the event. While a TIA is not life-threatening, it is not to be ignored as it is still a sign that the person is having issues with blood supply in the brain. It also means they will have increased risk of stroke in the future. If you have TIA or have experienced some minor stroke symptoms, you should see a specialist as soon as possible.
Below are some other typical stroke symptoms (in addition to the notable signs from the F.A.S.T test:
- Loss of consciousness
- Paralysis of 1 side of the body
- Feeling dizzy, or having issues with balance and coordination
- Difficulties with vision
- Confusion
- Difficulty swallowing
- A severe headache
Stroke Management at Dementech
In most cases, strokes are treated with medication to help prevent or dissolve blood clots in the body. Some medications can be used to reduce blood pressure or cholesterol levels, which can also help to prevent further strokes. At Dementech, we will also recommend medical procedures to remove blood clots when necessary. Brain swelling is a common side effect of blood clots and can be treated via a specialist procedure.
For patients who have an acute stroke, it is recommended that they are admitted to a Hyperacute Stroke Unit (HASU), which is a specialised unit committed to providing the most effective and successful forms of treatments. Following emergency treatment to prevent further damage, secondary prevention is, of course, crucial.
Risk assessment & prevention
Patients with a history of stroke are at much higher risk of suffering a further stroke. Consequently, reducing stroke risk following a stroke is a major goal for our specialists here at Dementech.
The major modifiable risk factors for a stroke are the following:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Smoking
- Dyslipidemia
- Physical inactivity
Important but un-modifiable risk factors for stroke include age, ethnicity, sex, family history, and genetics. The management of treatable risk factors is important for reducing the risk of ischemic stroke, and our experts will support you in developing a risk management plan to ensure you can be as safe from stroke risk as possible. Contact our specialists today for more personalised support.
CT vs MRI for stroke diagnosis
Both CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans can be used to aid a stroke diagnosis. Scans of the brain can help specialists to determine the type of stroke, as well as where the problem areas are located in the brain. They can also show whether the stroke is mild or severe, meaning you can receive more appropriate treatment.
CT scan:
- Works similarly to X-rays, building up a picture of your brain with a series of images
- Can determine whether the patient has had an ischaemic stroke or a haemorrhagic stroke
- Can be done relatively quickly
MRI scan:
- Uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves
- Often used when stroke symptoms are complex or when someone has experienced a “mini stroke”
- Provides greater detail but takes slightly longer than a CT scan
During your consultation with one of our specialists, they will be able to determine which tests will be appropriate for your diagnosis and later treatment. If you are worried about your scans, suffer from claustrophobia or need more information before going ahead with tests, we will be happy to accommodate to the best of our ability.
What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disturbance condition. There are 1.2 million people with AF in the UK, and it is most common in older people. Atrial fibrillation causes at least 20% of all ischemic strokes. These strokes have a higher mortality and are frequently more disabling compared to other etiologies.
Atrial fibrillation also makes your risk of a stroke five times higher than the average. So, if you have this condition, it’s important that you get the right treatment – both to control it and to reduce your risk of stroke.
Ischemic strokes caused by AF can be effectively prevented by oral anticoagulation. However, because AF is often asymptomatic and only paroxysmally present, it can easily escape diagnosis. Reportedly, delayed detection of AF is common in patients with stroke.
Why does AF increase your risk of stroke?
If your heartbeat is irregular and fast, your heart may not have a chance to relax and empty properly before filling up with blood again. Blood can collect inside the upper chamber of the left side of the heart, and this increases the risk of blood clots forming.
If blood clots form in your heart, there is a risk they can travel in your bloodstream towards your brain. If a clot blocks one of the arteries leading to your brain, it could cause a stroke.
What are the symptoms of AF?
Symptoms of AF are commonly mistaken for symptoms of other conditions, so it is important that if you are experiencing these issues (particularly if you have recently suffered a stroke), that you seek professional medical guidance.
- Palpitations (being aware of your heart beating fast)
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
While these are all common symptoms of AF, some people will not have any symptoms at all. AF is often only diagnosed during a specialist medical check-up following a stroke. Having regular checkups with specialists is therefore vitally important to ensure you are monitoring the risk of developing further life threatening conditions.
AF Diagnosis
There are several technologies available for AF detection after stroke. These technologies may vary significantly in their invasiveness and duration of monitoring. Non-invasive screening for AF is possible with Holter monitoring, wearable patches or belts.
At Dementech we also provide access to the Stroke Risk Analysis (SRA) clinic. The SRA clinic is a telemedicine service based on an automated software providing automated AF detection, and has been demonstrated to be able to improve AF detection.
The SRA Holter can be released on request and after 24h, 48h or 7 days (depending on the specifics of your condition) patients will be requested to return to the Dementech clinic for a follow up appointment with one of our specialists. The SRA data will then be sent securely to the central SRA clinic server for analysis. This analysis report will be available within a few minutes.
In the case of detected AF, the SRA service will provide ECG tracks for clinical confirmation of AF. In the presence of AF on the ECG data, your stroke physician will then discuss with you the appropriate treatment options available. The SRA clinic has a 99% sensitivity and specificity rate compared to the normal standard of diagnostic care.
Get Stroke Support Today
Meet Our Doctors
Our team of stroke experts in London provide expert care to diagnose, manage and treat stroke symptoms.
Dr Lucio D’Anna – Consultant Neurologist in London
Lead Specialist
Memory Clinic
Neurologist
Private Neurology
Stroke Treatment
FAQs About Stroke
What are the different types of strokes?
There are two main types of strokes: 1. Ischemic strokes, which are caused by a blockage in blood flow to the brain. 2. Hemorrhagic strokes, which occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding tissue.
How is a stroke diagnosed?
A stroke is diagnosed through a physical examination, medical history, imaging studies, such as CT scans or MRI, and other diagnostic tests, such as a brain angiogram or an electrocardiogram (ECG).
What is the role of rehabilitation in stroke treatment?
Rehabilitation is an important component of stroke treatment, and can help the patient recover as much function as possible. This may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, as well as other rehabilitation interventions.
Can a stroke be prevented?
There are multiple risk factors for stroke that can be controlled or modified, including high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and quitting smoking, can all help to reduce the risk of stroke.
How quickly can we get an MRI, blood test, and other testing done?
We carry out the relevant tests for stroke treatment within two days of them being requested, and we will get the results back within 48 hours.
If I am seen privately, will I be removed from the NHS waiting list?
No, receiving care at Dementech will not impact your NHS care. You are still welcome to seek guidance and treatment from the NHS if you wish to, and of course are advised to dial 999 immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing a stroke.
What does the consultation entail?
During a consultation, we will carry out an assessment and go through your medical history with a view to getting a diagnosis. From there, you will receive a plan for your stroke treament and a full consultation report.
How quickly can I be seen?
Where possible, we aim to see patients the same week. We wil respond to your request within 24 hours (48 hours on weekends).
Have a Question?
Speak to Stroke Specialists From Our Clinic in London
Our team is on hand to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Simply fill in the form below with your details, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Contact Dementech Today to Discuss Stroke Support