Know the Facts About Stroke
5/10/2020
By: Teresa Irizarry Quiles, M.D., Family Medicine, Primary Care Associates of Laredo
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke kills about 140,000 Americans each year. Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. Every 4 minutes, someone dies of a stroke.
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
A stroke causes brain tissue to die, which can lead to brain damage, disability and death. The most common signs and symptoms of a stroke are:
- sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg;
- sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others;
- sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
- sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance or coordination; and
- sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Several factors can increase your risk of a stroke. These include your age, sex and ethnicity. Having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes also can increase your risk for a stroke.
But some unhealthy habits can also increase the risk of a stroke, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise (less than 150 minutes per week).
Eighty percent of strokes are preventable. Individuals can greatly reduce their risk of a stroke by making lifestyle changes to help them control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In some cases, medication can help, too.
The American Heart Association recommends the following new blood pressure guidelines:
- Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg;
- Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80;
- Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89;
- Stage 2: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg;
- Hypertensive crisis: Systolic over 180 and/or diastolic over 120 – call your doctor immediately if your pressure falls into this range, even if only periodically.
For more information about your personal stroke risk, schedule an appointment with a primary care physician who can help you craft a prevention plan. Find a provider through Laredo Physician Associates. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.laredophysicianassociates.com or call 796-3223.
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