Stroke.

The article presents information on stroke. Stroke is a clinical syndrome characterised by the sudden onset of a deficit in brain function or rapidly developing symptoms and signs of focal or global loss of cerebral function. The most common presentation is of sudden onset of hemiplegia. Patients, or their relatives on their behalf, complain of loss of limb function. There may also be signs of higher cerebral dysfunction, such as aphasia. Some patients have a hemisensory loss, visual field deficit or brainstem problem. The role of ramipril in the primary prevention of stroke is under scrutiny and it may be that patients at high risk of stroke should be on ramipril in addition to whatever treatment they are taking for hypertension. INSET: The new contract: stroke and TIA.