Every 40 seconds, another American has a stroke, and 10 to 20 percent of stroke victims will die. Some who survive will experience brain damage, and between 15 and 30 percent of survivors live with a stroke-induced disability the rest of their lives.
The most common type of stroke is ischemic stroke, which accounts for 80 percent of all strokes. It occurs when there is a blockage in the arteries that lead to your brain, which reduces or stops its blood supply.
Ischemic Stroke: A Serious Problem
Every stroke is different, but each should receive medical attention. Even a mini-stroke, also known as a transient ischemic attack or TIA, is serious business. This minor stroke causes symptoms that typically last less than five minutes. It is often a warning sign of a future stroke. Seeking treatment can help prevent that from happening.
Full-blown ischemic strokes last longer than TIAs, and the symptoms can last for weeks, months or even years.
Fortunately, symptoms can be reduced and overcome through early treatment. Seeking medical attention within the first few hours increases the chance you’ll be eligible for innovative therapies. One such treatment is Alteplase IV r-tPA which removes the stroke-causing blood clot. But you must act quickly because it is usually only effective if given within three hours of your initial symptoms.
Regardless of how quickly you seek treatment, therapy is often part of your treatment plan. Stroke rehabilitation helps you regain function and improve quality of life.
Ischemic Stroke Risk Factors
While stroke can affect anyone, some are at higher risk. Risk factors for stroke include:
- Age—Your stroke risk rises as you get older, doubling every 10 years after age 55.
- Diabetes—Excess sugar in your blood can prevent oxygen from reaching your brain.
- Diet—Foods high in salt, cholesterol and saturated or trans fats can lead to arterial blockages.
- Ethnicity—Blacks, Hispanics, Native Alaskans and other Native Americans are at higher risk.
- Excessive alcohol use—Heavy drinking makes you more likely to have high blood pressure and other risk factors.
- Gender—Stroke is more common in women than men, and women are more likely to die from a stroke than men.
- High blood pressure—Extra pressure on your arteries and blood vessels can lead to stroke.
- High cholesterol—This condition can narrow your arteries and lead to stroke, as well as heart attack and other issues.
- Lack of physical activity—This is often linked to other stroke factors.
- Obesity—Extra body weight is often accompanied by high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Sickle cell disease—Blockages of irregular blood cells can stop blood flow to the brain.
- Personal history of mini-strokes—This can signify a potential stroke in the future.
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke—Tobacco smoke damages blood vessels and your heart.
Tips to Avoid Ischemic Stroke
Preventing strokes may seem impossible considering all these risk factors. But making a few healthy lifestyle changes can go a long way toward preventing ischemic stroke.
Lower your risk with the following tips:
- Don’t smoke. If you currently smoke, work with your provider to quit.
- Eat smart. Healthy eating habits can help you control your cholesterol and blood pressure. It can also help you manage your diabetes. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid foods high in fat, cholesterol and salt. Learn more about good nutrition.
- Get moving. Sitting still most hours of the day makes you more likely to have a stroke. Regular exercise helps you feel better, while also protecting your brain. Here are 9 Easy Ways to Fit Exercise Into Your Life.
- Seek help. Avoiding stroke is easiest with the help of professionals. Ask your primary care provider to check your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar regularly. Then work with your provider to keep those numbers under control, taking medication if necessary.
Know the Signs of Ischemic Stroke
Time is of the essence when a stroke occurs, and it’s important to recognize the warning signs.
Some of the more well-known symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, and B.E. F.A.S.T.:
- Balance (loss of balance, coordination or walking problems)
- Eyes (blurred vision or double vision, with one or both eyes)
- Face (one side of the face is drooping)
- Arms (arm or leg weakness)
- Speech difficulty
- TIME TO CALL 9-1-1
However, there are many other stroke symptoms. These come on suddenly with no known cause and include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe headache
- Vertigo, a feeling that the room is spinning
If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. With quick care, you have the best chance at a full recovery.
Take the opportunity now to evaluate your lifestyle. Are there changes you could make to improve your overall health and reduce your stroke risk? If so, get to work. Your brain will thank you.
More to Read
- Stroke 101: How to Identify and Prevent Stroke
- What is a Silent Stroke?
- Why a Mini-stroke Poses a Big Risk to Your Health
- How to Recover After a Stroke
