Prevention of Stroke

What is a Stroke?

A stroke (also called a brain attack) harms the brain the same way some heart attacks harm the heart.  During a stroke, blood cannot get to part of the brain.  This may cause symptoms, such as weakness in the face, arm, or leg.  Some people have trouble speaking or seeing.  If you have any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately, just as you would if you were having a heart attack.

Are You at Risk for a Stroke?

Risk factors are things that make you more likely to have a health problem.  You are at risk for a stroke if you have high blood pressure.  But your risk is even greater if you have high blood pressure and are older than age 55.  Use the quiz below to learn your risk factors for stroke and identify those risk factors that you can change.  Be sure to talk to your physician about ways to take control and lower your risk.

·         Do you have high blood pressure?

·    Do you smoke?

·         Do you have high cholesterol?

·         Do you have heart disease?

·         Do you have diabetes?

·         Are you African-American?

·         Are you older than age 55?

·         Have you had temporary weakness on one side of your body, dizziness, or speech or vision problems?

·         Are you a man?

·         Are you overweight?

·         Have you had a stroke in the past?

·         Do you have a family history of stroke?

You Can Lower Your Risk

You can reduce many of your risk factors for stroke.  Of course, you cannot change your age, sex, or race.  But you can stop smoking, eat a healthy diet, and exercise.  You can also work with your physician to control any health problems you may have.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension can damage arteries in several different ways.  When blood presses against an artery with too much force, the wall loses its ability to stretch.  This causes the wall to thicken, which narrows the artery passage and reduces blood flow.

Over time, high blood pressure can damage artery walls.  Fat and cholesterol (plaque) collect in the damaged spots.  Blood cells stick to the plaque, forming a mass called a clot.  A clot can become stuck and block blood flow in the artery.

Sometimes blood flows with enough force to weaken an artery wall.  If the artery is thin or damaged, the wall can break.  When this happens, blood leaks into nearby tissues and kills cells.  Other cells may die because blood cannot reach them.

Other Risk Factors

Most risk factors increase the chance of stroke by damaging blood vessels.  This is true of diabetes and high cholesterol, as well as high blood pressure.  Certain heart problems can increase the risk of stroke.

Make Healthy Choices

There is a lot you can do to help prevent stroke.  Watching what you eat and getting exercise top the list.  Eat healthy foods, limiting salt intake, getting regular exercise, stopping smoking and limiting alcohol will help you feel better, too.  In many cases, living a healthy lifestyle reduces the need for medical treatment. 

Check Your Weight

Do you weigh more than you should?  If you do, your body may be turning excess fat and cholesterol into plaque.  These deposits clog blood vessels and can reduce blood flow to the brain.  Extra weight can also make your heart work harder, raising blood pressure.

If a Stroke Occurs

Know what the symptoms of a stroke are.  Be prepared to get medical help quickly if you have symptoms, even if they last for only a few seconds.  The effects of stroke are serious.  Fast treatment may result in better recovery.

TIA: The Warning

Most people get an early warning that a stroke is coming.  Do not ignore this warning.  It is called a TIA (transient ischemic attack).  A TIA is a temporary stroke.  In most cases, it causes no lasting damage.  A TIA may go on for a few seconds or a few hours.  You may have symptoms only once, or they may come and go for days.  If you think you are having symptoms of a stroke-even if they don’t last-call 9-1-1.

The Effects

How a person is affected by a stroke depends on which part of the brain is damaged.  Although people do recover, many have lasting problems.  These include:

·         Paralysis on one side of the body

·         Loss of feeling in parts of the body

·         Problems with speech, language, vision, judgment, or decision-making.

·         Problems with balance and swallowing

Fast Action

If you think you are having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.  Once in the hospital, you made have tests to find the location of the blockage.  Certain types of drugs called “clot busters” can help dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow.  This may save brain tissue affected by the stroke and reduce damage.  “Clot Busters” can only help if they are used within the first hours of a stroke.  Time Counts!!

Call 9-1-1 if…..

Most symptoms of a TIA and stroke come on suddenly.  If you notice the following symptoms, don’t wait……

·         Weakness, numbness, tingling, loss of feeling in your face arm or leg

·         Trouble seeing in one eye or both eyes, double vision

·         Slurred speech, trouble talking, or problems understanding others when they speak.

·         Sudden, severe headache

·         Dizziness, feeling of spinning, loss of balance or falling

·         Blackouts  

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