Stroke can occur when there is a disruption in blood supply and oxygen supply to brain tissue. This can be caused by broken blood vessels or blockage in the blood vessels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke is the leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 795,000 cases yearly. Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and immediately seeking help can lead to better outcomes. For this reason, this article will discuss several things you need to know about stroke.
Types of Strokes
In general, strokes are divided into 2 types, namely:
1. Ischemic stroke
This type of stroke occurs when something blocks blood flow to the brain. This blockage can be in the form of blood clots or plaque. These blood clots can form in the heart or large arteries (embolic stroke) and in the arteries (thrombotic stroke).
2. Hemorrhagic stroke
This type of stroke is characterized by a blood vessel breaking or leaking so blood seeps into the brain. This type of stroke can be further grouped into intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages.
Stroke Symptoms
Reduced blood supply to the brain can cause brain tissue damage. Stroke symptoms appear from the part of the body that is controlled by the damaged part of the brain. Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke is vital so that it can be treated immediately. The following are some of the symptoms that can appear due to a stroke:
- Paralysis of limbs.
- Numbness or weakness in the arms, face, and legs, especially on one side of the body.
- Trouble speaking and difficulty understanding other people.
- Feeling confused, disoriented, and unresponsive.
- Sudden changes in behavior, especially more aggressive.
- Experiencing visual disturbances, such as blurred vision, blurry, or ghosting.
- Sudden headaches with no known cause.
Smoking has long been associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular and heart disease, including stroke
Stroke Risk Factors
Several things can increase the risk of having a stroke. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the risk factors for stroke are as follows:
1. Diet
A diet that does not paying attention to balanced nutrition can increase the risk of stroke. Especially a diet with high consumption of sugar, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.
2. Lack of physical activity
Lack of physical activity can increase the risk of stroke. The CDC recommends adults get at least 2.5 hours of aerobic activity each week. Regular exercise offers many benefits for the body.
3. Alcohol consumption
Consuming too much alcohol can also increase the risk of stroke. Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and increase triglyceride levels, a cause of atherosclerosis. This plaque buildup can later narrow the blood vessels.
4. Smoking
Smoking can trigger damage to blood vessels and the heart. Apart from that, the nicotine contained in cigarettes can also increase a person's blood pressure.
5. Genetic factors
There are several risk factors for stroke that we cannot control, including family health history, gender, age, and ethnicity.
Regular medical check-ups are one of the preventative steps that can be taken to avoid stroke
Lifestyle changes cannot definitely prevent stroke. However, the changes made can make a significant difference in reducing the risk of stroke. Some lifestyle changes that can be implemented are stopping smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining an ideal body weight, and regularly checking your health. Read other interesting articles only on Fitie!