Do You Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke?
One out of six people will have a stroke in their lifetime and it’s not just the elderly at risk. A stroke can happen to anyone, at any time and at any age so staying in-the-know is an important first step to reducing your risk. Do you know the basics and how to spot a stroke? Understanding the causes and symptoms could help save a life.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain. When a stroke occurs, brain cells are deprived of oxygen, causing the abilities controlled by that area of the brain, such as memory or muscle control, to be affected.
There are two types of strokes. The most common is an ischemic stroke which occurs when there is a lack of blood flow or a clot cutting off the blood flow to an area of the brain. The second type of stroke is called a hemorrhagic stroke and is caused by a weakened blood vessel leak.
Who is at risk?
It’s true that a stroke can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time, but there are several factors that could cause you to be at a higher risk for a stroke, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Atrial fibrillation
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Frequent alcohol consumption
- Family history
- Oral contraceptives
- Sleep apnea
To reduce your risk of a stroke: stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, maintain a healthy weight and exercise daily.
Know the Signs and Symptoms
To learn more about emergency stroke care at CaroMont Regional Medical Center, click here.