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Stroke

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A stroke occurs when part of your brain doesn't get the blood that it needs. Most often, stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or plugs up a vessel bringing blood to the brain. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. With prompt treatment, a person who has a stroke may suffer little or no brain damage. But severe brain damage can cause death or disability, including paralysis, problems with thinking, trouble speaking, and emotional problems.

Stroke risk is higher for older people, people who have a family history of stroke, and for African Americans. African American men also have a higher risk of disability and death from stroke than white men. This is partly because more African American men have high blood pressure, a major stroke risk factor.

You can't control some stroke risks, such as family history, age, and race, but you can control the leading cause—high blood pressure. In fact, managing high blood pressure is the most important thing you can do to lower your risk of stroke. You can also take these preventive steps:

• Don't smoke.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat foods that are good for your heart and keep cholesterol levels in check.
• Get 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week.
• Control stress.
• If you have diabetes, follow your doctor's instructions for eating, exercising, and taking insulin.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time. — This publication contains information on what a stroke is, the signs of someone having a stroke are, and what can be done to prevent a stroke.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm

2.   NINDS Stroke Information Page — This online publication discusses the types of stroke, treatment options, and ongoing stroke research.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm

3.   Stroke — This fact sheet provides information on strokes and offers tips for stroke prevention. It also gives a list of warning signs that may indicate a stroke is happening.

   http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/stroke.asp

4.   Stroke — This site features frequently asked questions, statistics, and risk factors. It also lists several prevention programs for those who want to lower their risk.

   http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/

5. Heart Attack/Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment (Copyright © American Heart Association) — Find your personal risk of having a heart attack or dying from heart disease with this health risk awareness quiz. Included is a stroke risk scorecard and questions to ask your doctor.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003499

6. Stroke: Warning Signs and Tips for Prevention (Copyright © AAFP) — This fact sheet provides information on stroke and its risk factors, how to know if you are having a stroke, and ways to lower your stroke risk.

   http://www.familydoctor.org/handouts/290.html

Organizations

1.   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
2.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
3. American Stroke Association

= Indicates Federal Resources