STROKE -- SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS

Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Every 45 seconds, someone in the nation experiences a stroke.

Unfortunately, most people do not understand what a stroke is or what the symptoms are. A 1996 National Stroke Association/Gallup survey on stroke awareness in the U.S. revealed that among adults 50 years or older, 38 percent did not know where in the body a stroke occurs and only 40 percent of respondents would call 911 immediately if they were having a stroke.

A stroke is similar to a heart attack, but occurs in the brain, and is otherwise known as a "brain attack.” Stroke happens when an artery leading to the brain becomes blocked or ruptures. Major advances in stroke treatment have occurred in the last decade, however, some treatments must occur within a short period of time after a stroke. The National Stroke Association says the average stroke patient waits more than 12 hours before going to the emergency room; some never get there.

The symptoms of stroke include:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding others
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause
  • Sudden onset of nausea, fever, fainting or vomiting

So how can you lower your risk of a stroke?

Treat high blood pressure (hypertension)! High blood pressure, often called Ŕthe silent killer,” is the leading cause of stroke, and if left untreated, increases your risk of stroke as much as four to six times. High blood pressure affects one third of the adult population in America, so check your blood pressure regularly whether you are on medication or not.

Quit smoking! Smoking doubles your risk of stroke. Smoking speeds up clogging of arteries, raises blood pressure, and makes the heart work harder.

Watch your cholesterol intake! A cholesterol level greater than 200 is considered "high.” High cholesterol can lead to the build up of plaques inside the arteries, which can clog arteries and cause a heart attack or stroke.

Know your heart history! A history of heart complications, heart disease, and atrial fibrillation increases your risk of stroke.

Treat sleep apnea! Sleep apnea lowers the levels of oxygen in the blood while carbon dioxide levels rise, increasing the risk of blood clots.

Don't be a couch potato! Recent evidence suggests that no physical activity may lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Know about TIA's! Your risk of having a major stroke increases five to eight percent each year if you have had a TIA and if it is left untreated. TIA's or transient ischemic attack is a temporary blockage of blood flow to a part of the brain. It usually resolves within minutes or a few hours, and does not cause brain damage. Recognizing if you have had a TIA is crucial because TIA's are strong predictors of a major stroke. Up to 35 percent of people who experience a TIA will go on to have a stroke.

People that have had one stroke are not necessarily "fated” to have another. Lifestyle changes, medication, and sometimes surgery can drastically lower a person's risk of having another stroke.

Unfortunately, there are a few stroke risk factors you cannot control:

  • Age. Stroke risk increases with age. For each decade after age 55, risk of stroke doubles.
  • Gender. More men suffer strokes than women. However, stroke kills more than twice as many American women every year as breast cancer.
  • Race. Native Americans have the highest prevalence of stroke, followed by African Americans, whites and Hispanics.
  • Family History. You are at an increased risk if you have a family history of stroke.
  • Diabetes. If you have or have had diabetes you have an increased risk of stroke.

One of the biggest worries after having a stroke is the fear of having another. Five to 14 percent of Americans will go on to have a second stroke within one year of their first stroke, and 25 to 40 percent will go on to have a second stroke within five years.

Know your risk factors, pay attention to stroke symptoms and seek medical attention quickly if you are experiencing symptoms -- it may help you better survive a stroke.