About this topic
A stroke happens when blood flow does not get to a part of your brain. Then your brain cells in this area start to die. If you have a stroke, you may not be able to move your arms or legs, may have poor memory, or may have problems talking or eating. The pictures below show two types of stroke that you can have. ‚
General
Many things can raise your chances of having a stroke. Some of them you can control and others you cannot. Here are the main things you need to know. ‚
Take extra care if you have: ‚
- An illness like diabetes, cancer, kidney problems, or arthritis
- Been pregnant recently
You may have control over some things that make you more likely to have a stroke. If you know about them, you can learn to manage these risk factors and live well. You are at a higher risk of stroke if you: ‚
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
- Smoke
- Use alcohol or illegal drugs
- Do not exercise often
- Are overweight
- Are on birth control pills
Below are things you may not be able to control, but you need to know about. You are at a higher risk for a stroke if you: ‚
- Are more than 65 years old. Your risk gets higher the older you are.
- Are male. Men are more likely to have a stroke than women.
- Have a family history of stroke.
- Are African American, Mexican American, American Indian, Hawaiian, or Asian American.
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What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Stop smoking. Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting.
- Limit how much alcohol you drink to no more than 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men.
- Do not use illegal drugs. Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting.
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower blood pressure
- Control blood sugar
- Lower cholesterol levels
Take your drugs exactly as ordered. When you manage problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, you can lower your chances of having a stroke. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
No. It is good to get some kind of exercise each day. Walking, gardening, swimming, riding a bike, or dancing are all good ways to add movement to your life. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Eat a healthy diet. Talk to your doctor or a dietician if you need to lose weight. ‚
- Eat whole grain foods and foods high in fiber.
- Choose many different fruits and vegetables. Fresh or frozen is best.
- Cut back on solid fats like butter or margarine. Eat less fatty or processed foods.
- Eat more low fat or lean meats like chicken, fish, or turkey. Eat less red meat.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Where can I learn more?
American Stroke Association ‚
http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/UnderstandingRisk/Understanding-Stroke-Risk_UCM_308539_SubHomePage.jsp ‚
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/healthy_living.htm ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke_needtoknow.htm#PREVENTION ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚