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Strokes kill more than 160,000 people each year and are the third leading
cause of death, ranking behind heart disease and all forms of cancer.
While strokes can occur at any age, the vast majority of stroke deaths
occur in the elderly.
The American Heart Association reports that every 45 seconds someone in
America has a stroke (about 700,000 people annually) and every three
minutes someone dies of one. Stroke is the leading cause of serious,
long-term disability in the United States.
A stroke affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke
occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain
is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When this happens, the part of the
brain affected cannot get the blood and oxygen that it needs and starts to
die. Clots that block an artery cause ischemic strokes, accounting for 70
percent to 80 percent of all strokes.
For many, a warning sign of a person's risk for stroke is when a TIA, or
transient ischemic attack, occurs. This is a "mini" stroke that produces
stroke-like symptoms but has no lasting damage. It occurs rapidly and
lasts a very short time, so people often do not even realize it has
happened.
TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery and part of the
brain doesn't get all the blood it needs. The TIA is over when the body
releases clot-dissolving enzymes and the artery re-opens fully. Unlike a
stroke, there is no injury to the brain when a TIA is over.
Knowing whether a person has had TIA strokes can be important in
predicting if a stroke will occur later - they are 10 times more likely to
have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn't had a TIA.
Of the people who've had one or more TIAs, more than a third of them will
later have a stroke that will result in impaired vision, speech, movement,
or even death. In about half of the cases, the stroke occurs within one
year of the TIA incident.
The usual symptoms for a TIA are the same as for a stroke, only temporary.
Symptoms include:
- Numbness or weakness of one side of the face, arm or leg.
- A severe headache that comes on quickly with no know cause.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding.
- Trouble walking or experiencing dizziness and loss of balance.
The American Stroke Association has identified factors that increase the
risk of stroke. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the
chance of having a stroke. While you can't control some risk factors such
as age, sex, gender or family heredity, you can control lifestyle or
environment factors. Here are some facts on the risk factors:
- High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke.
- The chance of having a stroke doubles for each decade of life after age
55.
- While the incidence of stroke is about equal for men and women, at all
ages more women die of stroke.
- The risk of stroke is greater in people who have a close relative
(grandparent, parent or sibling) who has had a stroke.
- Having Type II diabetes increases the risk of stroke four-fold.
- Cigarette smoking increases the risk of stroke. Nicotine and carbon
monoxide damage the cardiovascular system. The use of oral contraceptives
with cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk.
Guidelines for prevention of TIAs and other strokes are to control blood
pressure, eat and drink in moderation, maintain a healthy weight, exercise
regularly and not smoke. By following these guidelines as well as being
aware of the early warning signs that indicate a stroke, you are more
likely to maintain a heart-healthy life.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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