Stroke: Know Your Risks

What is stroke?
Stroke is a cardiovascular disease affecting the arteries leading to the brain. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States behind heart disease and cancer, and is the primary cause of serious, long-term disability.

When a stroke occurs, a clot either blocks blood vessels that carry oxygen to the brain, or the blood vessels burst.

There are two types of stroke:

Ischemic strokes are the most common and occur when the normal blood flow to the brain is blocked. This blockage deprives brain cells of oxygen and nutrients, and cells begin to die.

Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. The major cause of hemorrhagic strokes is high blood pressure. There are also two types of weakened blood vessels that can cause hemorrhagic stroke: aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). This type of stroke has been heavily discussed in the news recently as U.S. Senator Tim Johnson was hospitalized and underwent emergency brain surgery to relieve bleeding in his brain caused by an AVM.

• Aneurysms are swellings of weakened areas of blood vessels. When left untreated, an aneurysm continues to balloon until it ruptures and bleeds into the brain.
• AVMs occur in less than one percent of the population and are a congenital condition (a condition you are born with). A brain AVM contains weakened blood vessels that direct blood away from normal brain tissue. The weakened blood vessels expand over time and eventually burst, causing bleeding into the brain.

The effects of a stroke are devastating. Some side effects include:

• Paralysis (on one side of the body or face)
• Vision problems
• Memory loss
• Behavioral changes
• Speech/language problems

Many factors can increase your risk of stroke, including:

• Family history/race: Your risk of stroke is greater if one of your parents or a brother or sister has had a stroke. African Americans, Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders have a higher risk of stroke.

• Age/Sex: The risk of stroke increases as you get older. Men have a higher risk of stroke, and women who use birth control or hormone therapy have a slightly increased risk of stroke.

• Prior stroke, TIA or heart attack: Someone who has already had a stroke has a greater risk of experiencing another stroke than a person who has not. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) produce stroke-like symptoms but do not cause lasting damage and are predictors of stroke. People who have had a heart attack are also at higher risk of having a stroke.

• High blood pressure (hypertension): High blood pressure is the most important treatable risk factor for stroke. It can damage blood vessels in and around your brain, leaving them vulnerable to clots or bleeding.

• High cholesterol: High levels of cholesterol may increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis (plaque in your arteries) that can lead to a stroke.

• Cigarette smoking: Smokers have a much higher risk of stroke than do nonsmokers.

• Diabetes: Having diabetes prohibits your body from processing fats efficiently, so you have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure. Diabetes also interferes with your body's ability to break down blood clots, increasing your risk of ischemic stroke.

• Obesity: Being overweight increases your chance of developing high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes – all of which increase your risk of stroke.

• Cardiovascular disease: Several cardiovascular diseases can increase your risk of stroke. Atrial fibrillation (when the heart's two small, upper chambers don't beat effectively and blood isn't pumped completely out of them, allowing it to pool and clot) is the most common heart condition associated with strokes.

There are numerous signs, symptoms and warning signs of a stroke:

• Sudden weakness in an arm, hand or leg
• Inability to speak or to understand what someone is saying
• Inability to feel one side of your face or body
• Inability to see out of one eye
• Feeling dizzy or losing your balance
• Suddenly having a hard time walking
• Having the worst headache you have ever had

If you experience any of these symptoms, dial 9-1-1 immediately. Every minute counts when it comes to treating a stroke. Don't wait to see if the symptoms subside – seek medical attention right away. The success of most treatments depends upon on how soon a person is seen by a doctor.

	Need an appointment? Request one online 24 hours/day, 7 days/week or call 800-789-PENN (7366) to speak to a referral counselor.

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