Preventing a stroke

Nearly 5 million people in the United States today have survived a stroke. Of the 750,000 strokes that occur in the U.S. each year, 600,000 of these could be prevented.

A stroke or "brain attack" can be caused when a blood clot blocks an artery or when a blood vessel ruptures. In either circumstance, the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain is interrupted, causing brain damage.

When brain cells die as the result of a stroke, functions controlled by the affected part of the brain are lost. Abilities frequently affected by stroke include speech, movement and memory.

Common stroke symptoms include sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; sudden severe headache with no known cause; and/or sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

Every minute counts when surviving and recovering from a stroke. Individuals who experience a stroke should call 911 immediately.

There are two types of stroke risk factors- those which can be controlled and those which cannot be controlled.

Stroke factors which cannot be controlled include being older than 55 years of age, male, black, Hispanic, Asian/ Pacific Islander and having a family history of stroke.

Controllable medical stroke factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arterial fibrillation and carotid artery disease.

Controllable lifestyle stroke factors include smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and drinking too much alcohol.

For more information on stroke prevention or recovery, consult a physician.