| It is estimated that 750,000 Americans will | | | | factors. Our companion article "11 Action Steps |
| experience a stroke this year. Of this number, | | | | That May Prevent Strokes!" will go into greater |
| 160,000 will die and the rest will forever have | | | | depth on the actionable steps that you can take |
| their lives changed in significant and profound | | | | to reduce your risk of stroke through the |
| ways. African Americans are twice as likely to die | | | | following controllable risk factors:o Control High |
| from a stroke as Caucasians and the rate of | | | | Blood Pressure. High blood pressure increases |
| having their first stroke is almost double that of | | | | stroke risk 4-6 times and is the #1 risk factor for |
| Caucasians. One half of all African American | | | | a stroke. You have the power to positively |
| women will die from either a stroke or heart | | | | impact this area.o Control Heart Disease especially |
| disease. For those with sickle cell anemia, 11% will | | | | Atrial Fibrillation (AF). Atrial fibrillation can cause |
| have experienced a stroke by the age of 20. | | | | blood to collect in the upper chambers of your |
| Pretty depressing until you read the next line: | | | | heart increasing the opportunity for blood to form |
| "... 80% of strokes are preventable!" | | | | clots to causes a stroke.o Stop Smoking. Smoking |
| You Have the Power to Make a Significant | | | | doubles the risk for stroke.o Control Alcohol |
| Change! | | | | Consumption. Moderate alcohol consumption is |
| That's not me saying this but the National Stroke | | | | defined at one glass of wine or beer or one drink |
| Association. This statement means that 600,000 | | | | each day. There is some research to suggest |
| Americans could prevent their strokes from | | | | that moderate alcohol consumption may lower |
| occurring this year. You have the power to make | | | | your risk for stroke provided that there are no |
| a significant difference in how strokes are going | | | | other medical reasons for avoiding alcohol. But, |
| to affect you and your community. You can both | | | | once you increase from moderate to heavy |
| prevent a stroke and lessen the damage from a | | | | alcohol consumption, everything changes and your |
| stroke if you know what to do. | | | | risk increases substantially.o Control Your |
| What is a Stroke? | | | | Cholesterol. Lowering your cholesterol may have a |
| A stroke is really a "brain attack!" Just like a heart | | | | positive effect on reducing your risk for stroke. It |
| attack effects the heart, a stroke or "brain | | | | will certainly reduce your risk for heart disease |
| attack" affects the brain. Vital blood and oxygen | | | | which is a major risk factor for stroke.o Control |
| to the brain cells are cut off resulting in some | | | | Your Diabetes. Having diabetes increases your risk |
| level of damage to the effected brain tissue. Most | | | | for a stroke. There is a lot you can do in this area |
| strokes happen when the artery or blood vessel | | | | to control your blood sugar which will reduce your |
| is blocked by a blood clot or by the gradual | | | | risk for stroke and improve your overall health |
| build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits or by | | | | and wellness.o Control Your Weight Through Diet, |
| sickle cells which tend to sick together once they | | | | Exercise and Nutrition. The "Super Size Me" fast |
| have changed into their sickle shape. In some | | | | food lifestyle has created a "Super Sized" |
| cases, a stroke can be caused when an artery or | | | | population of overweight and obese people. This |
| blood vessel ruptures at a weak spot in the wall | | | | additional weight increases your risk for a stroke, |
| of that artery or blood vessel. | | | | diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and other health |
| Every stroke is different since it depends upon | | | | issues.o Check for Other Circulatory Problems. In |
| the area of the brain that has been affected and | | | | addition to sickle cell disease, it is important to |
| the amount of time that area has been without | | | | have your carotid arteries checked by a qualified |
| oxygen. Strokes are also classified according to | | | | physician on a regular basis. The carotid arteries |
| their severity. A mini-stroke or TIA (Transient | | | | carry blood from the heart to the brain and can |
| Ischemic Attack) is a brief episode of stroke-like | | | | narrow from the build up of cholesterol and other |
| symptoms that can last from a few minutes to | | | | plaque forming substances. This leads to reduced |
| 24 hours. TIAs usually cause no permanent | | | | blood flow and increased risk for blood clots and |
| damage or disability but are serious warning signs | | | | blockages. |
| of an impending stroke. It is estimated that 35% | | | | Our companion article "11 Action Steps That May |
| of people who experience a TIA will have another | | | | Prevent Stokes!" will discuss each one of these |
| stroke. Statistically it breaks down this way:o 5 to | | | | controllable risk factors and give you a |
| 14% will have an additional stroke within one | | | | comprehensive plan of action to help you not only |
| year.o Within the next five years, 24% of | | | | lower your risk but also improve your health and |
| women and 42% of men will have an additional | | | | overall wellness. |
| stroke. | | | | Common Stroke Symptoms! |
| Again, this can seem overwhelming and | | | | We will conclude this article by looking at the |
| depressing until you remember that: | | | | common stroke symptoms. Learning these |
| "... 80% of strokes are preventable!" | | | | symptoms and knowing what to do when they |
| This means you can take steps on the front end | | | | occur could save your life or the life of someone |
| to prevent a stroke and you can take steps | | | | else. These are the most common stroke |
| after you have had a stroke to prevent an | | | | symptoms:o Sudden numbness or weakness of |
| additional one. | | | | the face, arm or leg especially if it occurs on one |
| Risk Factors: Uncontrollable vs. Controllable! | | | | side of the body.o Sudden confusion, trouble |
| Everyone has some level of risk to having a | | | | speaking or understanding.o Sudden trouble seeing |
| stroke. It is important to understand the risk | | | | in one or both eyes.o Sudden trouble walking, |
| factors that contribute to a stroke. Some of the | | | | dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.o Sudden |
| risk factors are controllable. Some of the risk | | | | severe headache with no known cause. |
| factors are not. We will first look at the | | | | If you have or see anyone who has these |
| uncontrollable risk factors for stroke:o Age. | | | | symptoms, then call 911 immediately. Time is |
| Although a stroke can happen at any age, your | | | | critical in decreasing the effects of a stroke. |
| risk increases with age. After age 55, the risk for | | | | Currently there is a clot busting drug that can be |
| a stroke doubles for every decade. Although you | | | | administered to diminish the effects of a stroke. |
| have no control over your chronological age, you | | | | However, there is only a three-hour window when |
| do have the ability to reduce your biological age.o | | | | this drug can be administered. Once the stroke |
| Gender. A stroke is more common in men but | | | | symptoms occur the clock starts ticking and your |
| more lethal in women.o Race. For African | | | | quick response could be the difference between |
| Americans, the risk of a stroke is twice the rate | | | | life or death, permanent disability or significant |
| for Caucasians. Hispanics and Asian/Pacific | | | | recovery. |
| Islanders are also at a higher risk than | | | | Summary! |
| Caucasians.o Family History. If someone in your | | | | Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability. |
| family has had a stroke, then you are at a higher | | | | Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the |
| risk for a stroke. Part of this could be genetics | | | | United States. For the African American |
| and part could be lifestyle. You have no control | | | | community, the effects of a stroke are |
| over the genetics but you certainly have control | | | | significantly greater. According to the National |
| over your lifestyle.o Previous Stroke or TIA. If | | | | Stroke Association, "80% of strokes are |
| you have had a stroke or TIA then you chance | | | | preventable!" Please join us in helping our |
| of having another stroke in the next 5 years is | | | | community to take proactive steps in reducing |
| 25 to 40% depending upon your gender. | | | | the risk of stroke. Please email this article to a |
| As you can see from the above list, there are | | | | friend. Make it your goal to share this with at least |
| certain factors that you do not have any control | | | | 5 others so that together we can change the |
| over. The good news is that you have multiple | | | | health dynamics of our community. Thank You! |
| ways to offset the above uncontrollable risk | | | | |