Could You Be at Risk for Stroke?

One of the top killers of them all for many people over the age of 65 is stroke (it actually doubles each decade after age 55). But don’t let that age bracket fool you -- there are significant risk factors that can lead up to a stroke occurring at any age.

Do you encounter any of these risks?

Heredity: Do you have a family history of strokes? If you have a parent, grandparent, brother or sister who has had a stroke, your risk of having one in your lifetime increases.

High Blood Cholesterol: Reducing your cholesterol is the best prevention you can do throughout your whole life. Cholesterol is a big culprit in leading up to a stroke.

High Blood Pressure: Along with High Blood Cholesterol, the two combined are bad news when it comes to inviting a stroke to strike.

Diabetes: Even though diabetes is a treatable condition, it increases the risk of stroke.

Heart Diseases:

• Carotid Disease: arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain; they are narrowed by fatty deposits called atherosclerosis which is basically a build-up of plaque in artery walls. This may become blocked by a blood clot.
• Peripheral Artery Disease: Narrowing of blood vessels carrying blood to your leg and arm muscles.
• Arterial Fibrillation: heart rhythm disorder (upper chambers quiver rather than beating effectively).

Prior Stroke TIA or Heart Attack. TIA's are "Transient Ischemic Attacks" or "warning strokes."  These produce stroke-like symptoms, but aren't not a full-blown stroke. Someone who has had a TIA is 10 times more likely to have a stroke.

Poor Diet: Does your diet consist of fruits, vegetables and grains, or is it made up of fast food restaurants, ice cream and chocolate bars? Diet is a major factor in reducing many conditions, and stroke is right up there on the top ten list.

Minimal Physical Activity: Are you physically active or a couch potato? In this age of obesity on the rise, physical activity is more crucial than ever. Be a role model for your children and grandchildren and make exercise a daily part of your day to keep the unwanted pounds at bay. Not only will this improve your overall health but it will also prevent things like stroke and heart disease.

Spouses of Smokers: Second hand smoke is even more dangerous than smoking itself when it comes to stroke risk factors.

Race: African-Americans have a much higher risk of death as the result of a stroke than Caucasians.

Sickle Cell Disease: African-American and Hispanic children are prone to this disease. Sickle Cell Disease makes the "sickled" red cells in the body less likely to send oxygen to the tissues and organs, resulting in an increased risk of stroke.

The best advice? Know the risk factors of a stroke, and look at your own lifestyle . . . do you have any number of these risks? If you do, begin to change NOW for the better and you can ensure a long, happy and healthy life with your loved ones.