Every year, an estimated 730,000 Americans suffer a stroke or “brain attack,” making it a leading cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. 

Stroke is a cerebrovascular injury that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a clogged or burst artery.  This interruption deprives the brain of blood and oxygen and causes brain cells to die. 

According to the National Stroke Association, a stroke strikes someone in America every minute of every day, costing close to $30 billion in health care services and lost worker productivity.  Four out of five American families will be affected by stroke in their lifetime.

Warning Signs
There are warning signs that may serve as clues your body sends that your brain is not receiving enough oxygen.  If you observe one or more of these signs of a stroke or “brain attack,” don’t wait, call a doctor or 911 right away.  These warning signs include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body.
• Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye.
• Sudden difficulty speaking or trouble understanding speech.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls, especially with any of the other signs.

Other danger signs that may occur include double vision, drowsiness and nausea or vomiting.  Sometimes the warning signs may last only a few moments and then disappear.  These brief episodes, known as transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, are sometimes called “mini-strokes.”  Since these episodes tend to be brief, many people ignore them.  However, TIAs may help identify an underlying serious condition that isn’t going to go away without medical help. 

Risk Factors
Males and females of all ages and races suffer from strokes.  Regardless of age or race, there are risk factors that you should know about.  Keep in mind, though, that having a risk factor doesn’t mean you’ll have a stroke.  On the other hand, if you are missing a risk factor does not mean you’ll avoid a stroke.

Treatable risk factors for a stroke include:

High blood pressure: Also called hypertension, this is a potent risk factor for stroke.  If your blood pressure is high (greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure), see your doctor about an individual strategy for bringing it down to normal range.  Controlling blood pressure can also help avoid heart disease, diabetes and kidney failure.

Cigarette smoking: Smoking has been linked to the buildup of fatty substances in the carotid artery, the main neck artery supplying blood to the brain.  Blockage of this artery is a leading cause of stroke in Americans.  Also, nicotine raises blood pressure; carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen your blood can carry to the brain; and cigarette smoke makes your blood thicker and more likely to clot.  By quitting at any age, you can also reduce your risk of lung disease, lung cancer and heart disease.

Heart disease: Common heart disorders, such as coronary artery disease, valve defects, irregular heart beat and enlargement of the heart’s chambers can result in blood clots that may break loose and block vessels in or leading to the brain.  The most common blood vessel disease, caused by the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, is called atheroslerosis.

Diabetes: This disorder may causes destructive changes in the blood vessels throughout the body, including the brain.  If blood glucose levels are high at the time of a stroke, then brain damage may be more severe and extensive than when blood glucose is well controlled.

Some of the most important risk factors can be determined during a physical exam at your doctor’s office.  Remember that if you experience a TIA, or “mini-stroke,” get help at once.  And if you have had a stroke in the past, it’s important to reduce your risk of a second stroke.

A better understanding of the causes of stroke has helped Americans make lifestyle changes that have helped to cut the stroke death rate.  Stroke may be preventable and treatable. 

For more information about Stroke or Brain Attack, plan to join us for an informative seminar on Friday, May 20, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.  To register call 1.888.257.5476 or register online at Find An Event.