On average in the U.S., one person dies from stroke every four minutes. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of adult disability. But there is good news: Up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
The first step to preventing a stroke is to identify conditions that can increase your risk for stroke. Talk to your healthcare professional to learn how to treat and manage any of these conditions.
Heredity
Why Control? Your risk is extremely increased if someone in your family has had a stroke.
Treatment: Alert your healthcare professional of family history of stroke.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Why Control? High blood pressure is the number-one cause of stroke and the most important risk factor to control.
Treatment: Healthier eating habits, physical activity, and possible medications.
HEART DISEASE
Why Control? Conditions like atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, valve defects, Afib, and enlargement of heart chambers can cause blood clots that can block vessels in or leading to the brain.
Treatment: Taking aspirin or bloodthinning therapy to prevent clots or, if necessary, surgical procedures.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Why Control? Cholesterol is a fatty substance in blood. It’s made by the body, and it’s also found in food. If there’s too much cholesterol in your blood, it can clog arteries and cause a stroke.
Treatment: Healthier eating habits, physical activity, and possible medications.
SLEEP APNEA
Why Control? Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes breathing to be interrupted during sleep, preventing the brain and body from getting enough oxygen. Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, and stroke.
Treatment: Wearing a small device in your mouth that provides oxygen while you sleep.
DIABETES
Why Control? You are two to four times more likely to have a stroke if you have diabetes.
Treatment: Healthier eating habits, physical activity, and possible medications.
CIRCULATION PROBLEMS
Why Control? Strokes can be caused by complications with any component of your circulation—your heart, arteries, veins, and blood.
Source: National Stroke Association