Each year, about 735,000 people in the United States have strokes.
Of these incidents, 137,000 of those people die, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in America. People of all ages and backgrounds can have a stroke. However, some demographic factors put certain people at higher risk of stroke or death from stroke, according to neurologist Dr. Meldi Anuta.
Anuta said a stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.
Brain cells begin to die in minutes, she added.
“If you or someone you’re with may be having a stroke, pay particular attention to the time the symptoms began. Some treatment options are most effective when given soon after a stroke begins,” the medical expert said.
Signs and symptoms of stroke include: trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying; sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in your face, arm or leg, which usually affects one side of your body; sudden blurry or black or double vision in one or both eyes; a sudden, severe headache that may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness or altered consciousness; or a loss of coordination and trouble walking.
Many factors can increase your risk of stroke and potentially-treatable stroke risk factors, including: lifestyle risk factors, like being overweight, physical inactivity; heavy drinking and use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine; medical risk factors like high blood pressure; cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke exposure; high cholesterol; diabetes; obstructive sleep apnea; personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack; (TIA) and other heart diseases.
Other non-modifiable factors that can increase your risk of stroke, including: being age 55 or older, African American; and use of birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen.
The following tips can help avert stroke before it’s too late:
* Control high blood pressure or hypertension through healthy lifestyle changes and medications.
* Lower the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet by eating less cholesterol and fat especially saturated fat and trans fats, to reduce the buildup in your arteries.
* Quit tobacco use to help reduce your risk of stroke and drink alcohol in moderation, since heavy alcohol consumption increases your risk of high blood pressure, ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes
* Manage diabetes through healthy diet, regular exercise and lose weight to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range.
* Treat obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing for short periods repeatedly during sleep.
* Avoid illegal or certain street drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine that are established risk factors for a TIA or a stroke.
Ana Williams wrote both faith and health columns for The Graham Star for two years.