Stroke is the third leading cause of death in North America. However, despite the reality, many of us feel that suffering a stroke is just “luck of the draw” and don’t realize there are things we can do to help reduce their risk.
The following are answers to some common questions:
• What is it? Stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. It can either be caused by the interruption of the flow of blood to the brain (ischemic stroke), or the rupture of blood vessels in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke) – both of which can cause brain cells in the affected area to die, which can lead to physical disability or death.
• What increases your risk? There are a number of factors that can increase a person’s risk of stroke, including: gender, age, ethnicity, family history, obesity, diet, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. Atrial Fibrillation (AF), a common, irregular heartbeat, is also known to cause stroke. AF can increase a person’s risk of stroke by three to five times. AF occurs when blood pools and gets stuck in the chambers of the heart, which can result in the formation of a blood clot. A blood clot formed this way can be transported to the brain where it can cause a stroke. Because symptoms can go unnoticed, it is important that those most at-risk – people aged 55 years and older – speak with their doctor.
• Can it be prevented? While research shows we believe that stroke can happen to anyone, the good news is that we can take steps to reduce the risk. Speak to your health care professional to determine your risk and what you can do to lower your risk.
