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Stroke
80% of strokes are preventable.
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National Stroke Association:
www.stroke.org
1-800-STROKES
National Council on Aging (NCOA)
www.ncoa.org
American Stroke Association www.strokeassociation.org
1-888-4-STROKE
Detailed Research
American Heart
Association Family Guide to Stroke: Treatment, Recovery, and
Prevention (available where books are sold) |
Are you at risk for stroke?
Risk factors are
traits and lifestyle habits that increase the risk of disease.
Extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified several
factors that increase the risk of stroke. Most of them can be
modified, treated or controlled. Some can’t.
The more risk factors
you have, the higher your chances of having a stroke. The best way to
prevent a stroke is to reduce your stroke risk factors. Your
health care provider can help you change factors that result from
lifestyle or environment.
What risk factors for stroke can be controlled or treated?
(Check
the Consumer Care
Series health care resource for easy to find and easy to
understand information on these topics.)
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High blood pressure -
the
most important risk factor for stroke. It usually has no specific
symptoms or warning signs.
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Tobacco use
- a major, preventable risk factor for stroke. The amount of oxygen
in the blood is reduced by the nicotine and carbon monoxide in
tobacco smoke.
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Diabetes
- increases risk of stroke. Diabetes is defined as a blood sugar of
126 mg/dl or more taken on two occasions.
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Carotid or other artery disease -
the carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. If
narrowed by fatty deposits from plaque buildup a blood clot could
form raising risk of stroke.
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Atrial fibrillation -
this irregular heart rhythm can raise the risk for stroke. The
heart's upper chambers may not beat effectively causing blood to
pool and clot. If a clot releases into the bloodstream, stroke can
result.
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Other heart disease -
coronary heart disease or heart failure can promote a higher risk of
stroke.
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Transient
ischemic attacks (TIAs) - "warning signs" that
produce stroke-like symptoms, but no lasting damage.
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Certain blood
disorders
- a high red blood cell count thickens the blood and makes clots
more likely, raising the risk of stroke.
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Sickle cell disease
- a genetic disorder that mainly affects African Americans. Red
blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body's tissues and
organs and also tend to stick to blood vessel walls. Arteries to the
brain can be blocked causing a higher risk of stroke.
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High
blood
cholesterol
- high levels of total cholesterol can be a major risk factor for
heart disease, which raises your risk for stroke.
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Physical inactivity
and obesity -
inactivity and obesity can increase your risk of high blood
pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and
stroke.
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Excessive alcohol -
drinking an average of more than one alcoholic drink a day for women
and more than two drinks a day for men can raise blood pressure and
may increase risk for stroke.
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Some illegal drugs -
intravenous
drug abuse and cocaine use carry a high risk of stroke. Cocaine use
has been linked to strokes and heart attacks, sometimes even fatal
in first-time users.
What are the risk factors for stroke you can't change?
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Increasing age -
all ages, including children, can have strokes, but as you age the
risk can increase.
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Sex (gender) -
stroke is typically more common in men than in women. However
pregnant women have a higher stroke risk. Women taking birth control
pills who also smoke develop a higher risk, as well.
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Heredity (family
history) and race - African
Americans have a much higher risk of death from a stroke than
Caucasians do.
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Prior stroke or
heart attack -
If you have already had a stroke or a heart attack, you are at a
greater risk to have another stroke.
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