Hawthorn's Angelo Lekkas is hopeful rather than certain of resuming his AFL career after being diagnosed as having suffered a mild stroke.

Hawthorn released a diagnosis of Lekkas, who was hospitalised for four days last week after complaining of persistent headaches and breathing difficulties following a practice match in Western Australia.

It was caused by the blockage of a blood vessel supplying oxygen to his brain.

Lekkas, 28, suffered a stroke in the cerebellum in the lower part of the brain which controls balance and co-ordination, but has suffered no loss of those faculties.

There was no bleeding to the brain and further tests will be carried out in an effort to find the cause of the stroke.

Hawthorn said specialists believed there was a good chance he would resume training soon and return to playing in about three months, pending further medical assessments.

"This comes at a time when I'm in the best shape and the fittest that I've been for years," Lekkas said.

"An episode like this obviously comes as an enormous shock and just explains how important your health is.

"It puts many, many things into perspective.

"You cannot afford to flirt with your health.

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