Do you know the risk factors for stroke?

How many risk factors for stroke can you name?  The first step in preventing stroke is to know your risk factors.  Several of them you can take charge of by making lifestyle changes, but others you can’t.  However, being aware of what may increase the chance of having a stroke is the vital in order to lower your risk.

What is a stroke

A stroke is when you have damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply.  It is also known as a cerebrovascular accident. It is a serious medical condition requiring immediate emergency care.  Seconds count when a person has had a stroke since if they are not treated as quickly as possible, the person may have long lasting brain damage, long-term disability or death.

The risk factors for stroke can be divided into two categories – risk factors you can change and risk factors you cannot.  The more risk factors you have, the greater likelihood you could suffer from a stroke in the future. 

What risk factors can a person change?

Let’s take a look at risk factors you can make changes on to reduce the incidence of stroke:

·      High blood pressure

This is the single most important risk factor for stroke because it’s the number one cause of stroke.  Know your blood pressure and have it checked at least once every two years.  It it’s consistently 130/80 or higher, it’s high.  Talk to your doctor about how to control it.

·      Tobacco use

Don’t smoke cigarettes or use other forms of tobacco.  Tobacco use causes severe damage to the inner lining of the blood vessels throughout the body.  Smoking is also one of the most damaging controllable factors for stroke.  If a person who smokes quits, the damage incurred to the body gradually reverses lowering their risk of stroke. 

·      Diabetes Mellitus

Having diabetes increases your risk of stroke because it can cause disease of blood vessels in the brain.  Work with your doctor to manage diabetes and reduce other risk factors.

·      Carotid or other artery disease

The carotid arteries in your neck supply most of the blood to your brain.  A carotid artery damaged by a fatty buildup of plaque inside the artery wall may become blocked by a blood clot, causing a stroke.

·      TIAs

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are ‘mini-strokes” that produce stroke-like symptoms but no lasting effects.  Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce the risk of a major stroke.  Know the warning signs of a TIA and seek emergency medical treatment immediately. 

·      Atrial fibrillation or other heart disease

In atrial fibrillation the heart’s upper chambers quiver rather than beating effectively.  This causes the blood to pool and clot, increasing the risk of stroke.  People with other types of heart disease have a higher risk of stroke too. 

·      Certain blood disorders

A high red blood cell count makes clots more likely, raising the risk of stroke.  Sickle cell anemia increases stroke risk because the “sickled” cells stick to blood vessel walls and may block arteries. 

·      High blood cholesterol

High blood cholesterol increases the risk of clogged arteries.  If an artery leading to the brain becomes blocked, a stroke can result.

·      Physical inactivity and obesity

Being inactive, obese or both can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

·      Excessive alcohol intake

Drinking an average or more than one drink per day for women or more than two drinks a day for men raise blood pressure.  Binge drinking can also lead to stroke.

·      Illegal drug use

Intravenous drug use carries a high risk of stroke.  Cocaine use also has been linked to stroke.

Risk factors you can’t control

Here are risk factors that you will not be able to control:

·      Getting older

Even though stroke can affect people of all ages, the older you are, the greater your stroke risk will be.

·      Gender

In most age groups, more men than women have stroke, but more women die from stroke.

·      Heredity and race

People whose close blood relatives have had a stroke have a higher risk of stroke themselves.  Not only is it due to hereditary factors but also similar lifestyle habits.  African Americans have a higher risk of death and disability from stroke than whites, because they have high blood pressure more often. Hispanic Americans are also at a higher risk of stroke. 

·      Prior stroke

Anyone who has had a prior stroke is at a higher risk of having another one.