How Can I Prevent a Stroke ?

Each year, more than 500,00 Americans have a stroke. A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," happens when the brain does not get enough blood. This cuts off oxygen and kills brain cells. Strokes can affect a person's ability to speak, see, move, and think. Strokes may even cause death. In fact, strokes are the third leading killer in the United States, and the leading causes of disability in adults.

There are three major types of stroke:

Thrombotic strokes - caused by fat deposits that have built up in the arteries
Embolic strokes - caused by a blood clot in another part of the body
Hemorrhagic strokes - caused when an artery bleeds in the brain

Who has Strokes?

• Most strokes happen to adults over the age of 40. However, younger adults and even children can have them too.
• About the same number of men and women have strokes. All groups and races are at risk for strokes. But African-Americans are almost two times as likely to die from a stroke as whites. And they often suffer more damage.

Lower your Risk of Stroke

• Control your blood pressure- One out of three people with high blood pressure doesn't know it. That's a problem, because high blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke. Get your blood pressure checked often.
• Control your diabetes- This disease can change the blood vessels in the brain, increasing your chance of stroke. Also, high blood-glucose levels at the time of a stroke usually lead to more brain damage then when the glucose level is normal. SO it's important to follow your doctor’s advice for controlling your diabetes.
• Stop smoking- Smoking can thicken your blood can cause dangerous clots. It can also rise your blood pressure. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about ways to quit.
• Exercise regularly- Exercise makes the heart stronger and improves blood flow. It also helps control weight. Being heavy increases your chance of disease.
• Watch for heart disease- Sometimes heart diseases makes blood clots. Make sure you visit your doctor regularly.

Warning Signs

• Call 911 if you have any of the following warning signs
• Your face, arm or leg gets weak or numb
• You lose all or part of your sight in one eye or both
• You have a hard time speaking and /or understanding other people
• You get a very bad headache for no reason
• You get dizzy or fall suddenly

Many people ignore these signs because they often last only a few minutes. But these "mini-strokes" can be warning of a full-blown stroke later. So get medical help right away.

After a Stroke

Seventy percent (70%) of all stroke survivors aren't able to do the same job tasks as they were before. Thirty (30%) need help caring for themselves. Fortunately, people who have had a stroke can get back some or all of their abilities with speech and physical therapy.