Around 350 Barbadians suffered a stroke during the first year. Most of these strokes (83%) were due to blockage of a blood vessel supplying the brain. Most strokes occurred over the age of 65 and more women than men were affected.

Strokes occur either when a blood vessel becomes clogged thus hampering blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel ruptures causing blood to leak into the brain (haemorrhagic stroke).