Stroke is the third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. About 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year. That means, on average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds. Strokes kill more than 137,000 people a year and are a major cause of adult disability.What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a brain injury. This injury can happen when blood flow is blocked to a portion of your brain or when bleeding occurs within the brain. When a stroke occurs, the area of the brain that does not receive blood and oxygen is injured. Some of the damage may not be permanent.
Signs of Stroke in Men and Women
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.
What do I need to do to reduce my risk of having a stroke?
Certain health problems or lifestyle choices – called risk factors – increase your chances of having a stroke. The leading risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure, but there are other factors that also put you at risk.
Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to help reduce your risk and improve your health.
What are your Stroke Risk Factors?
Risk factors are different for each person. Keep in mind that some factors, such as your age, can’t be changed, but other things that put you at risk CAN be changed or managed.
Health Risk Factors for Stroke
High blood pressure
Overweight
Abnormal cholesterol levels
Certain abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation
Heart attack
Narrowed or blocked arteries
Diabetes
Age greater than 60
A parent, brother, or sister who has had a stroke
Lifestyle Risk Factors for Stroke
Lack of exercise
Diets high in salty, fried, or greasy food
Smoking
Drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day
Metabolic Syndrome Raises Risk of Stroke
Any of the risk factors listed put you at increased risk of stroke. But having 3 or more of certain risk factors (a condition called metabolic syndrome) multiplies your risk. These factors include too much weight around your waist, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
If you have any of these risk factors, be sure to talk to your health care provider
Sources: Ask Me 3™, created by the Partnership for Clear Health Communication, CMS National Training Program, Medline Plus and Krames-on-Demand
Additional Resources
http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml/identifier=4755
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/stroke.html
