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Stroke Awareness

Are you at risk for a stroke? Did you know that there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of having a stroke? In honor of National Stroke Awareness Month, here’s what you should know about this potential threat. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of adult disability in the United States. National statistics indicate that someone in the United States suffers a stroke every minute. Unfortunately, one of the major problems is that most people are not aware of stroke symptoms or what to do in the case of an emergency. In fact, the National Stroke Association reports that 38 percent of adults who participated in a survey had no idea where stroke occurs in the body. Over two-thirds of these adults were completely unaware of the urgency associated with stroke symptoms. Many also reported they would likely wait up to 24 hours after stroke symptoms begin before seeking medical assistance, which increases the likelihood of complications and brain damage. A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, maybe by a blood clot or by a break in a blood vessel. The cells in the area where the stroke occurs are killed due to a lack of blood supply. The body then loses whatever function these cells were responsible for. As the cells affected by the stroke die, they also release chemicals that can have an effect on other surrounding cells outside the area where the stroke occurred. This is why immediate medical attention is essential to treating a stroke. In most cases, a stroke victim has approximately six hours from the moment the stroke begins until severe damage can occur in the brain. Every minute that a stroke is untreated more cells will die and more body functions may be lost or significantly compromised. The risk factors There are several risk factors related to stroke. It is important to know what these risk factors are so that proper measures can be taken to help reduce risk as much as possible. The risk factors associated with stroke may be either uncontrollable or controllable. Uncontrollable risk factors cannot be changed such as age, gender, race and heredity. For example, the risk of stroke increases with age but there is nothing we can do about getting older. Males and African-Americans are at a higher risk for stroke than others are. Diabetes is an uncontrollable risk factor for stroke. One side effect of diabetes is poor circulation, which can lead to blood clots and increase the risk of stroke. Family medical history is also an uncontrollable risk factor for stroke. Controllable risk factors may include diet, exercise and other existing medical conditions that can be managed to reduce the risk of stroke. Smoking doubles the risk of stroke. If a smoker quits, their risk of stroke will decrease. Lack of regular exercise and being overweight may also significantly increase the risk of stroke. Overweight individuals are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, which are also risk factors for stroke. High blood pressure is quite dangerous and often referred to as the most important risk factor to control. Someone may have high blood pressure and not know about it because there are very few symptoms. Existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure can be regulated and monitored closely to help reduce the risk of stroke and other diseases. Signs and symptoms Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the signs and symptoms associated with stroke. Identifying the symptoms can be crucial because the amount of damage caused by the stroke can be partially determined by the amount of time between when the stroke begins and when medical treatment is first administered. If stroke is not identified in time, severe brain damage can occur. (The amount of damage may also be related to where the stroke occurs in the brain.) The main signs and symptoms of stroke may include a numb or weak feeling on one side of the face, numb feeling in one arm or leg, confusion, difficulty speaking, blurred vision, loss of balance, feeling uncoordinated, severe headache, dizziness and possibly difficulty walking. Other less common symptoms may also include fever, vomiting, nausea or possibly unconsciousness. These symptoms may occur in any combination, making them sometimes difficult to identify. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should call 9-1-1 immediately! Preventing a stroke The risk of stroke can be reduced, even if uncontrollable risk factors exist. One of the best things that people can do for their health altogether is not smoke. Smoking is linked to stroke and a long list of other life-threatening conditions. It is important to recognize that adopting one prevention strategy alone will not eliminate the risk of stroke. The best practice is to live a healthy lifestyle to the fullest extent possible. Ideally, people should never smoke, limit alcohol consumption, monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels, exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet throughout their lives. All of these factors combined will help reduce the risk of stroke and increase the likelihood of living a healthier life overall. Emergency situations Anyone experiencing stroke symptoms or witnessing someone else experiencing these symptoms should call 9-1-1 immediately! Immediate medical attention is essential to treating a stroke successfully. Unfortunately, some stroke victims do not recognize their symptoms and wait too long to call for medical assistance. Every minute counts! If you have questions about your health or your family’s health, visit out Medical Library or click Ask-the-Doc for a one-on-one, live chat with a board-certified or board-eligible physician. We’re here 24 hours a day with free, confidential answers to your health questions. Reviewed by Dan Morhaim, M.D. May 2000 Copyright 2000 AmericasDoctor.com. All rights reserved. Return to Content

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Revised: December 30, 2007 .