A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), occurs when an artery (a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain) is either blocked by a clot, or ruptures. When this occurs, part of the brain cannot get the oxygen/blood it needs so the brain cells die. Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the US and a leading cause of disability. Studies have shown that 80% of strokes are preventable.
Risk factors you can control:
Hypertension - know your numbers and keep them low!
Smoking - nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damage the cardiovascular system. Smoking can actually double to stroke risk in African American persons.
Diabetes - diabetes independently is a risk factor, but most diabetic patients are overweight, have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol which can multiply your risk.
Diet - diets high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol can raise cholesterol leading to plaques that cause obstruction; diets high in sodium can lead to hypertension; and diets high in calorie can lead to obesity. For additional information on healthy diet please visit American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations
Physical inactivity - aim for being active for at least 150 minutes a week; move more and sit less.
Obesity - losing as little as 5-10 pounds can make a significant difference in your risk.
High blood cholesterol, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease - fatty deposits can build up in the arteries and cause narrowing, restricting the flow of blood to your brain and vital organs.
Atrial fibrillation, dilated cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease and congenital heart defects - can lead to alteration in blood flow or formation of clots which can travel to the brain.
Sickle cell disease - the sickle shaped red blood cells are decreased ability to carry oxygen to the body and can congregate on blood vessel walls leading to restricted blood flow.
To find your risk, please take the Stroke Risk Quiz. Stroke Risk Quiz
*******************************************************************************************************************************
By learning the F.A.S.T. warning signs, you just might save a life from stroke.
Face Drooping
DOES ONE SIDE OF THE FACE DROOP OR IS IT NUMB? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
Arm Weakness
IS ONE ARM WEAK OR NUMB? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech
IS SPEECH SLURRED? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue."
Time to Call 9-1-1
If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.
For more information follow this link American Stroke Association