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NeuroCare Brain & Spine Center™ - Stroke . . . Understanding the risks,
recognition and action
Stroke = Brain Attack
A stroke can happen when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted. The brain
needs a nearly constant supply of blood that carries oxygen to the brain cells
which control everything we do - from speaking to walking, to even something as
vital as breathing. Most strokes occur when there is a blockage in an artery, (a
blood vessel that carries blood to the brain). These are called ischemic
strokes. These blockages can be caused by
blood clots or by the gradual build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits. The
less frequent kind of stroke is one in which a blood vessel in the brain
ruptures, causing bleeding into the brain called a hemorrhage or a hemorrhage
stroke. These brain
hemorrhages are often the result of a weak area in the blood vessel that forms
an aneurysm that can burst.
Every year, stroke affects around 750,000 Americans…killing approximately
160,000 people.
The good news is there are things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke. If
you develop the symptoms of a stroke and receive immediate medical attention,
treatments are available to help reduce brain damage and disability.
Some patients first show signs of a transient ischemic attack or TIA. These are
sometimes called “warning” strokes because they mean there is something abnormal
in the brain and you are at increased risk for experiencing a stroke that could
cause permanent damage.
Risk factors
Everyone is at risk for a stroke. However, certain factors can increase your
risk. Some of these are beyond your control, such as:
- Age: Stroke risk increases with age, especially over 55 years.
- Gender: Males are more likely to suffer a stroke
- Ethnicity: Stroke risk is higher in African-Americans
Other risk factors that ARE in your control and that you can modify to reduce
your risk of stroke include:
- Smoking: Smokers have a higher risk of stroke.
- Obesity: Being overweight contributes to many health problems AND
increases the risk of stroke.
- Drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day.
- Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack: For patients that have
already had a stroke it is important to continue medications and see your
doctor for follow-up as needed.
- High cholesterol- Total cholesterol greater than 200 or an LDL greater
than 100.
- High blood pressure: Reducing your systolic blood pressure (the top
number) by 10 points can reduce your risk of stroke by 1/3.
- Heart disease: Treating heart disease is an important step to reduce the
chance of a heart-disease related stroke.
- Diabetes: Diabetes affects all of the blood vessels in the body and can
increase the risk of stroke.
- Atrial fibrillation: Treatments for “a-fib” can reduce the likelihood of
a blood clot forming that can cause a stroke.
- Carotid artery disease: Procedures can be done to treat blocked arteries
in the neck before a stroke happens.
Recognize the warning signs of stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency. Knowing the warning signs can save your – or a
loved one’s – life. The earlier treatment is received, the more effective it is.
Call 9-1-1 if you see or have any of these symptoms.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one
side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Take action
While there are certain factors such as age, gender and ethnicity, that you
cannot control; you can reduce your reduce your risk by controlling these
lifestyle-related factors by:
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising regularly
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Controlling cholesterol levels
- Maintaining a normal blood pressure
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Controlling diabetes
Remember…every second counts!
Even if symptoms appear for only a very short period of time, it could mean a
Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA occurred. Call 9-1-1 if you experience any
stroke symptom, even if it disappears. Even though a TIA is not a stroke, it
does indicate a serious problem in your brain and it may mean that a stroke may
soon occur. Your doctor can diagnose and treat you to help reduce your risk of
having a stroke.
NeuroCare Brain and Spine Center™
(920) 288-8020
Toll-free (877) 577-5800
2845 Greenbrier Road
P.O. Box 8900
Green Bay, WI 54308-8900
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