Risk Factors For Strokes
Stroke is a medical emergency. Know these warning signs and teach them to others. Every second counts:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden severe headache of unknown cause.
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A True Story
Susie is recuperating at an incredible pace for someone with a massive stroke all because Sherry saw Susie stumble (that is the key that isn’t mentioned below) and then she asked Susie three questions.
This literally saved Susie’s life. Some angel sent it to Susie’s friend and she did just what it said to do. Susie failed all three so 911 was called. Even though she had normal blood pressure readings and did not appear to be having a stroke, as she could converse to some extent with the Paramedics, they took her to the hospital right away. Thank God that Sherry remembered the three questions!
Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness can spell disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
1. Ask the individual to smile.
2. Ask the person to raise both arms.
3. Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions.
They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting last February.
Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke victim and prevent brain damage. |
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
HB (140/90 mm Hg or higher) is the most important risk factor. It usually has no specific symptoms and no early warning signs. That’s why everybody should have their blood pressure checked regularly.
TOBACCO USE
Cigarette smoking is a major, preventable risk factor for stroke. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood. They also damage the walls of blood vessels, making clots more likely to form. Using some kinds of birth control pills combined with smoking cigarettes greatly increases stroke risk. If you smoke, get help to quit NOW!
DIABETES MELLITUS
Diabetes is defined as a fasting plasma glucose (blood sugar) of 126 mg/dL or more measured on two occasions. While diabetes is treatable, having it still increases a person’s risk of stroke. Many with diabetes also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight. This increases their risk even more. If you have diabetes, work closely with your doctor to manage it.
CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE
The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. A carotid artery narrowed by fatty deposits from atherosclerosis (plaque buildups in artery walls) may become blocked by a blood clot.
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
This heart rhythm disorder raises the risk for stroke. The heart’s upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively, which can let the blood pool and clot.
HEART DISEASES
Heart diseases such as, Dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), heart valve disease and some types of congenital heart defects also raise the risk of stroke.
TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS (TIAS)
TISs are “warning strokes” that produce stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke. It’s very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. Call 911 to get medical help immediately if they occur.
CERTAIN BLOOD DISORDERS
A high red blood cell count thickens the blood and makes clots more likely. This raises the risk of stroke. Doctors may treat this problem by removing blood cells or prescribing “blood thinners.”
SICKLE CELL DISEASE
Also called sickle cell anemia this genetic disorder mainly affects African Americans. “Sickled” red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues and organs. They also tend to stick to blood vessel walls, which can block arteries to the brain and cause a stroke.
HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL
A high level of total cholesterol in the blood (240 mg/dL or higher) is a major risk factor for heart disease, which raises your risk of stroke. Recent studies show high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol (greater than 100
mg/dL) and triglycerides (blood fats, 150 mg/dL or higher) increase the risk of stroke in people with previous coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack
(TIA). Low levels (less than 40 mg/dL for men; less than 50 mg/dL for women) of HDL (“good”) cholesterol also may raise stroke risk.
PHYSICAL INACTIVITY AND OBESITY
Being inactive, obese or both can increase your risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. So go on a brisk walk, take the stairs, and do whatever you can to make your life more active. Try to get a total of at least 30 minutes of activity on most or all days.
EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL
Drinking an average of more than one alcoholic drink a day for women or more than two drinks a day for men can raise blood pressure and may increase risk for stroke.
SOME ILLEGAL DRUGS
Intravenous drug abuse carries a high risk of stroke. Cocaine use has been linked to strokes and heart attacks. Some have been fatal in first time users.
For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 18884STROKE or visit www.StrokeAssociation.org
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