Stroke Prevention 101: Understanding the Risk Factors and Warning Signs

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the fifth leading cause of death in adults, with approximately 800,000 strokes occurring each year in the United States. As the population ages, stroke is predicted to become the leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years. 10 years. 

Who is most at risk for stroke: 

The risk of stroke increases significantly with age, doubling every 10 years after age 55. However, a common misconception is that stroke only occurs in older people. In fact, strokes are more common after the age of 55, but not everyone can be saved.

One-third of strokes occur before age 55 and can happen at any age. Women are just as susceptible as men, but on average women develop the disease about 10 years later than men. Unfortunately, this age difference puts women at a higher risk of dying from stroke overall. 

We now have more knowledge and effective ways to control risk factors and use medications and interventions to prevent first and second strokes. 

Everyone after age 55 should be screened or evaluated for stroke risk. Initial screening includes a patient history and physical examination to gather information about risk factors and ways to reduce them. 

If you want to know if you are at risk of having a stroke, ask yourself the following question: Stroke risk. 

A TIA occurs when the blood supply to an area of ​​the brain is suddenly but temporarily cut off, and symptoms can last for minutes or, rarely, hours. It is not associated with permanent brain damage. Therefore, it is an ideal warning against stroke.

People who experience a TIA have a 1 in 10% chance of developing a stroke within the next 90 days, but most people develop a stroke within the next 48 hours. People who experience a TIA should work with their doctor to get evaluation and treatment to prevent stroke. 

Do you have an arrhythmia: 

Ask your doctor if you have atrial fibrillation or AFib (a certain type of arrhythmia). You can measure your pulse to see if it is regular or irregular. If it is irregular, please consult your doctor. While many smartwatches and technologies reliably detect irregular pulses, atrial fibrillation must be thoroughly evaluated and identified because, although treatment is effective, there is a risk of bleeding. 

If you have AFib, your risk of stroke increases significantly, by an average of 5 points per year. However, with proper treatment with oral anticoagulants such as warfarin and other new drugs, the risk can be reduced to 80% despite the potential risks. Whether the major blood vessels in the neck are narrowed. If it is narrowed, intensive treatment with drugs and specific interventions or surgeries for specific individuals, depending on whether it is causing symptoms or other factors, can significantly reduce the risk of stroke. can do. 

Do you have abnormally high cholesterol or other fats in your blood:

Although high cholesterol is more closely related to heart disease than stroke, it can contribute to an increased risk of stroke. This drug significantly lowers cholesterol and can reduce future stroke risk by about 16 points in people who have had a stroke. 

You can prevent stroke by making healthy choices and taking care of your health. 

Healthy living: 

Many strokes can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle changes and working with your health care team to manage health conditions that increase your risk of stroke. 

Choose healthy food and drinks: 

Choosing healthy food and snack options can help prevent stroke. Try to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Eating foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high cholesterol. Limiting salt (sodium) in your diet can also reduce blood pressure. High cholesterol and high blood pressure increase the chances of having a stroke. 

Get regular physical activity: 

Physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces cholesterol and blood pressure levels. For adults, the Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, each week. Children and teenagers should do one hour of physical activity every day. 

Don’t smoke: 

Smoking greatly increases the chances of having a stroke. If you don’t smoke, please don’t start. If you smoke, quitting reduces your risk of stroke. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit smoking. 

Limit alcohol: 

Avoid drinking too much alcohol as it can increase blood pressure. Men are limited to two drinks per day, and women are limited to one drink per day. 

Manage your medical condition: 

Talk to your doctor about steps you can take to reduce your risk of stroke. If you have heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, you can take steps to reduce your risk of stroke.

Author: MedBlog18 Blog Team

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