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Stroke
Introduction and Signs of a Stroke
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Introduction and Signs of a Stroke
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Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. There are approximately 700,000 strokes in the United States each year and about 160,000 deaths.
A stroke is a highly treatable disease like a heart attack, but one must immediately get to a stroke center or hospital for early treatment as, unfortunately, due to delays, many are left with major physical debilities that totally change their lives.
The Signs of a Stroke
The sudden onset of dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, visual dimness especially in one eye, difficulty speaking or trouble understanding speech and numbness, weakness in face, arms or legs, especially on one side of the body are significant signs of a stroke.
The Risk Factors for a Stroke
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- Risk evaluation is dependent on many factors, some of which cannot be changed.
- 1. Age - as one ages, the risk doubles every ten years after age 55.
2. Sex -men have more strokes than women.
3. Race - African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans have a higher rate of strokes than non-Hispanic whites.
4. Genetics - a family history of a stroke places family members at greater risk.
5. Second strokes - one in six people with ischemic (atherosclerotic) strokes, who survive, are at greater risk of another stroke within two years.
6. People who have TIAs (transient ischemic attacks - a mini stroke) are at about a ten- times greater risk of having a major stroke.
7. Hypertension - increases the strain on the blood vessels in the brain
8. Heart disease
9. Poor nutrition- not eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish with excess dietary sodium and a low potassium diet.
10. Lack of a daily exercise program
11. Overweight and obesity
12. Diabetes is a stroke risk and requires active treatment.
Strokes can be prevented through controlling blood pressure (hypertension), cholesterol (bas lipids), and other comorbidities. Changes in lifestyle, such as not smoking, moderate to vigorous exercise thirty minutes a day, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a prudent heart-healthy diet are also very important.
It has been estimated that about 80% of the risk of a stroke is related to high blood pressure. When the blood pressure is controlled, the stroke risk may decrease about 40%, which also reduces the heart attack rate by about 27% and heart failure by 54%.
About two-thirds of Americans over age sixty-five have an elevated blood pressure making the brain arteries become stiffer and more fragile for a possible bleed, especially if there is hypertension.
Prevention of Strokes
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1. Diet - fruits and vegetables are often rich in potassium along with a healthy diet, as
well as potassium supplementation if needed.
2. Eating fish two or three times a week provides omega-3 fatty acids that may help lower stroke and heart attack rates. Those eating salmon, tuna (baked or broiled) or herring four times a week were seen to have a 27% lower risk of stroke than those who ate it once a month. Those eating fried fish or fish burgers more than once a week had a 40% higher risk of stroke.
3. Exercise thirty minutes a day (moderate to vigorous) - by accumulating several activities including housework, walking stairs, or taking brisk walks. Exercise lowers blood pressure, reduces blood clots, and can cut the stroke rate in half.
4. Those who are overweight or obese have at least a 30 - 50% higher risk for stroke respectively compared to normal weight men. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and also treats diabetes actively.
5. Talk to your doctor to see if daily aspirin would be helpful for you. - Once a person is in the recovery phase, an active stroke rehabilitation program may take many months, often six months to a year to get the maximum recovery from a stroke.
First appeared January 15, 2008; updated August 2, 2008