A stroke is often called a “brain attack” because it cuts off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease (also called heart disease), the leading cause of death in the United States.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Factors You Can't Control
Age: About 66 percent of people who die from cardiovascular disease are age 75 and older.
Gender: Men have a greater risk of heart disease and have heart attacks earlier in life.
Heredity and Race: If your parents had heart disease, you are more likely to develop it yourself. African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure.
Factors You Can Control
Smoking: Tobacco smokers are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than non-smokers.
High Cholesterol/High Blood Pressure: The higher your cholesterol and blood pressure, the greater your risk of heart disease.
Obesity: One study has shown that an obese middle-aged man has a 66 percent higher risk of dying from a heart attack than a middle-aged man who is not obese.
Diabetes: About 65 percent of people with diabetes will die from some form of heart disease.
Sources: CDC, webMD, American Heart Association, Cleveland Clinic
Time Is Brain
Why It’s So Important to Know The Warning Signs of a Stroke
When a person has a stroke, seeking medical care as soon as possible is essential. About 87 percent of all stroke cases are ischemic strokes, which occur when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed. The FDA-approved treatment for ischemic strokes, tPa, has proven highly effective in saving lives and reducing the long-term effects of stroke. But tPa must be given within three hours of having a stroke for the best possible chance of a full recovery. After three hours, the brain-saving effectiveness of tPA begins to decrease. Considered the gold standard for treating ischemic strokes, tPA is given through an IV in the arm and works by dissolving the clot and improving blood flow to the part of brain being deprived of blood.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. The best way to identify a stroke and seek medical treatment immediately is to know the warning signs. Using the phrase BE FAST is a good way to remember.
BE FAST stands for: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time.
B (Balance): Is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
E (Eyes): Is the person having trouble seeing or experiencing a sudden vision change?
F (Face): Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A (Arms): Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S (Speech): Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strained?
T (Time): If you observe any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Source: Duke Health