According to the National Stroke Association, a stroke happens every 40 seconds making it the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. While this may seem scary, 80% of strokes can be prevented. Here’s what you need to know about strokes and what you can do to protect your health.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off such as when a blood clot gets lodged in the brain. When parts of the brain don’t get the oxygen it needs from the blood, then those cells start to die. There are various levels of severity in strokes that can range from limited arm and leg movement for a short time period to permanent paralysis or the loss of speech.
There are several types of strokes that can cause harm:
85 percent of strokes are ischemic and there are two types of strokes within this category: thrombotic strokes happen when a blood clot forms in an artery and blocks the blood flow in your brain. An embolic stroke takes place when a blood clot forms away from your brain (most commonly in your heart) and your bloodstream causes it to travel and get stuck in a smaller artery in your brain.
Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or ruptures. An intracerebral hemorrhage can cause a stroke when the vessel bursts so blood can’t travel beyond that broken point. A subarachnoid hemorrhage causes a stroke when an artery between your brain and skull bursts and stops blood flow to further parts of the brain.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) causes “mini-strokes” because the blood is only temporarily blocked and usually doesn’t cause long term effects.
If you or a loved one is at risk for having a stroke, you should be aware of the following symptoms so that you can get help immediately.
There are several factors that can contribute to one having a stroke:
If you are at risk for having a stroke, talk to your doctor to see how you can prevent one through lifestyle changes or by reviewing the prescription medications that you’re taking.
