Stroke

A stroke happens when blood flow and oxygen to the brain is blocked. This occurs when a blood vessel is blocked by a blood clot or breaks. Brain cells start to die and can result in brain damage. A stroke may cause the loss of brain-controlled activities. These may include loss of speech, movement and memory.

People who suffer a small stroke may have minor problems later, like weakness in an arm or leg. But, people who've had a major stroke may be paralyzed or lose their ability to speak. Some people get better. But, many have problems that last forever.

A stroke is a serious condition and needs to be treated right away.

Quick treatment lowers the risk of long-term problems or death. The symptoms include:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs
• Trouble speaking, confusion or difficulty understanding others
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Dizziness, problems walking, or having a hard time standing up
• Severe headache

A stroke can happen to anyone. However, certain things can raise your chance of having a stroke. These include certain conditions, behaviors or family history.

Medical conditions that increase the risk of a stroke:

• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• Having a previous stroke or TIA ("mini-stroke")

Behaviors that can lead to a stroke include:

• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Lack of exercise

Family history can play a role:

• This can increase your chances of having a stroke
• Older people are more likely to have a stroke
• Men are more likely to have a stroke than women
• Hispanics, African Americans and American Indians are more likely to have a stroke than Caucasians or Asians.

Lower Your Risk

There are things you can do to lower your risk for a stroke. These include:

• Keep high blood pressure under control
• Keep diabetes under control
• Don't smoke
• Reduce cholesterol level
• Limit alcohol use
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Be physically active
• Eat a healthy, low-salt diet
• Know your family history