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Ageism in the NHS means older stroke victims are not receiving the same level of care as younger patients, according to a new study.

Elderly patients were less likely to be given important brain scans and lifestyle advice following stroke than their younger counterparts, the research published in the Postgraduate Medical Journal found.

One in 20 over-75s received an MRI scan to diagnose the type of stroke suffered, compared with one in four younger patients.

Newly-joined charities Help the Aged and Age Concern said this was another example of "shocking ageism" in the NHS.

Charity director Michelle Mitchell said: "Older people aren’t asking for special treatment, but the same access to healthcare and medicine as everyone else."

The government has pledged to improve stroke care in recent years since it emerged that the standard of care in Briton was lagging behind other European nations.

Stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, which results in a lack of oxygen and nutrients and can lead to permanent brain damage.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with stroke.

A single pill that contains five drugs could protect against heart attacks and stroke, a study suggests.

It is thought the polypill could reduce heart disease by 62 per cent and stroke by 48 per cent, according to the study published in the Lancet this week.

The pill tested is called Polycap and contains a cocktail of a statin, aspirin and three blood pressure drugs usually prescribed individually to people with, or at risk of, heart disease.

Principal investigator Dr Salim Yusuf, from McMaster University in Ontario, said: "The thought that people might be able to take a single pill to reduce multiple cardiovascular risk factors has generated a lot of excitement; it would certainly revolutionise heart disease prevention as we know it."

A previous study suggested that if everyone over the age of 55 and everyone with cardiovascular disease took such a pill, it would reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease by over 80 per cent, and largely prevent heart attacks and stroke.

However, opposition to a ‘one-pill-fits-all’ strategy has come from critics, who disagree with the idea of taking drugs to prevent heart conditions over maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

One in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure, according to the charity Blood Pressure UK, which is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

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Pregnant women suffering from migraines are at increased risk of strokes, a new study has suggested.

Recent research published in the British Medical Journal also linked the headaches to complications such as heart disease, blood clots and high blood pressure.

Furthermore, the study suggests that migraines could even be an indication that the cardiovascular system is not working to it best capacity.

Migraine headaches currently occur in up to 26 per cent of women of childbearing age, as well as around one third of women aged between 35 and 39.

Researcher Professor Cheryl Bushnell said: "Our study should not discourage women with migraine from considering getting pregnant.

"Many women with pre-pregnancy migraines improve with pregnancy and never have a problem."

Joanne Murphy, from The Stroke Association, said vascular complications are very rare during pregnancy.

Medical experts in the UK recently revealed they have developed a way of inserting ‘tiny scaffolding’ into stroke-damaged brain tissue.

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Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in the treatment of stroke patients, it has emerged.

Medical experts claim they have developed a way of inserting ‘tiny scaffolding’ into stroke-damaged brain tissue.

The team – led by Mike Modo of King’s College London – used individual particles loaded with neural stem cells to fill stroke cavities and provide a ready-made structure.

It is thought that the development could help to address the problem of a lack of structured support in the damaged area of the brain.

"Over a few days we can see cells migrating along the scaffold particles and forming a primitive brain tissue that interacts with the host brain," Dr Modo explained.

"Gradually the particles biodegrade leaving more gaps and conduits for tissue, fibres and blood vessels to move into."

In related news, Dr Tony Rudd recently claimed that services for stroke victims in Wales are now the worst in the UK.

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People who suffer from migraines may be more at risk of some major health problems, it has been claimed.

According to a US study on 25,000 women, those who are prone to blurred vision during headaches and have a certain genetic variant are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack.

The research, which is published in the February 17th print edition of Neurology, found migraine sufferers who do not experience these symptoms have no increased risk of such medical issues, those with heart conditions life insurance may be interested to learn.

Markus Schurks, author of the study, commented there has been several instance of previous work looking into the links between gene variants, strokes and heart disease.

He added: "Getting to the bottom of whether there is a connection and why may help to develop ways to prevent issues like stroke and heart disease."

In other news, Dr Tony Rudd recent claimed treatment for stroke victims in Wales is the worst in the UK.

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Services for stroke victims in Wales are now the worst in the UK, according to a leading expert.

Dr Tony Rudd has roundly criticised the services and has placed the blame on Welsh politicians for letting the situation become so bad.

After monitoring any improvement in the area over a ten-year period, Dr Rudd has claimed that they have "remained virtually stationary".

The assembly government committed £7.5 million in 2007, with a view to improving stroke treatment over a three-year period.

However, Dr Chris Jones, clinical director of the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, said a dedicated stroke unit is still not a reality.

"I feel that with finances as tight as they are in the country and the NHS at the moment, we are not going to achieve that for a long period of time," he said.

It was recently reported that immediate treatment of patients who have suffered a minor stroke can minimise the risk of disability.

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Immediate assessment and treatment of patients who have suffered a minor stroke can minimise the risk of disability, it has been claimed.

According to previous research, rapid action can cut the 90-day risk of recurrent stroke by about 80 per cent.

However, a new report – which has been published in the Lancet – has said that such action also has a positive effect on admissions to hospital, costs and disability.

Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said it is widely accepted that a heart attack is a medical emergency which requires immediate attention.

"Exactly the same applies to stroke, but for some reason mini strokes are still not treated with the same sense of urgency as mini heart attacks. This study emphasises the importance of taking rapid action when symptoms of a stroke occur," he noted.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris recently claimed that cold winter weather could increase the risk of strokes among the elderly.

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A new training scheme which aims to improve the way health professionals deal with stroke patients has been launched in NHS Lanarkshire.

The program allows staff to experience some of the debilitating effects of stroke, such as a visual field disturbance, reports the BBC.

As well as being the third most common cause of death in Scotland, stroke is the most frequent cause of disability among adults in the region.

NHS Lanarkshire is the first health board to implement the new education scheme in partnership with Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland and NHS Education Scotland.

Fiona Morrison, who has been appointed to the new post, said: "This training programme will raise awareness of the impact of strokes and give staff the knowledge, skills and confidence to help people cope with their condition and maximise their potential."

Meanwhile, it was recently reported that Glasgow is to pioneer new research to examine whether stem cells can be used to treat stroke patients.

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Glasgow is to pioneer new research to examine whether stem cells can be used to treat stroke patients.

Under the new research, cells derived from a human foetus will be injected into patients’ brains.

While the procedure is initially being tested for its safety, there is also the possibility that it may benefit some patients.

Keith Muir, the consultant leading the trial at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, said he was "very excited" about the study.

"If it works, as it has done in animal model systems, it may allow new nerve cells to grow or regeneration of existing cells and actual recovery of function in patients who would not otherwise be able to regain function," he said.

Currently, two-thirds of stroke victims are left with disabilities due to damage to the brain.

A recent report from the Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris suggested that cold winter weather could increase the risk of strokes among the elderly.

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Cold winter weather could increase the risk of strokes among the elderly, it has been claimed.

According to a new study conducted by the Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris, low temperatures can increase cases of high blood pressure in the older generation.

Risks commonly associated with high blood pressure include a heightened chance of suffering a stroke, heart attack or kidney failure.

Authors of the report wrote: "Although our study does not demonstrate a causal link between blood pressure and external temperature, the observed relationship nevertheless has potentially important consequences for blood pressure management in the elderly."

Doctors have suggested that a hormone linked to stress which is naturally released in cold weather could be responsible for a rise in blood pressure.

In related news, the New Scientist recently reported that MRI scans could soon replace invasive probe methods to identify who is at risk of heart attacks.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with heart conditions