Stroke: Risk factors and Symptoms of a Stroke

Stroke is a disease in which a sudden lesion of the brain area due to circulatory disorders. Stroke is also called “acute violation of cerebral circulation,” that is, a stroke. In the article we will consider the main risk factors for stroke, signs and symptoms of the onset. 

Risk factors and signs of a stroke

1. Age over 50 years. If in the age group of 45-54 years the stroke occurs annually only in one out of a thousand, then at the age of 65-74 – already in one of a hundred people. Stroke develops in one of four men and one in five women, if they reach 80 years of age.
2. Ischemic heart disease (CHD), strokes and atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries in relatives under the age of 60 years.
3. Arterial hypertension (AH). Any increase in blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) above the optimal 110-120 / 70-80 is considered a prerequisite for the development of a stroke. If the diastolic (lower) reaches a mark of 100 mm Hg. and higher, the risk of stroke is 5%.
4. Diabetes.
5. Elevated serum cholesterol (optimal risk of stroke with serum levels greater than 5.5 mmol / l).
6. Bad habits: smoking, alcohol, strong coffee and tea.
7. The risk of developing a stroke with a carotid artery narrowing of about 60% is 2%.
8. Paroxysmal or permanent form of atrial fibrillation.
9. Reception of oral contraceptives, especially in combination with smoking. Hormone replacement therapy with combined preparations containing estrogens and progesterone also increases the risk of stroke in healthy postmenopausal women.
10. Depression in the anamnesis.
11. Valvular heart disease, primarily aortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse.

You may also like to read: Heart failure: What is it and how to cure it?

If you combine risk factors, the likelihood of developing a stroke increases exponentially. For example, if you have 1-2 risk factors from all of the above, then the risk of stroke is 6%, and if 3 factors are already 19% and so on.

So you can test yourself by reading these lines.

10 Steps from a Stroke or Prevention

Those who have tested themselves and are at risk, I recommend doing so-called 10 steps from a stroke.

• Do ultrasound of the neck vessels feeding the brain (UZDG), conduct an ECG, consult a cardiologist.
• Maintain blood pressure values ​​not more than 140/90.
• Control the blood sugar level.
• Strive for your ideal weight.
• Observe a low-calorie diet.
• Control the cholesterol level in the blood.
• Move more, do gymnastics, do not forget to walk more.
• Quit smoking.
• Do not abuse alcohol.
• Take regular anti-aggregate and nootropic medications recommended by your doctor.

Symptoms of a stroke

Unfortunately, it often turns out that patients are too late to seek medical help. For example, many think that if in the morning they feel a numbness of the limbs, then they are lying in a dream lying arm or leg, and do not know that these symptoms can indicate a stroke.

But if you take timely measures, you can avoid the terrible consequences of the disease. Therefore, I advise you to get acquainted with the precursors of this disease and learn how to provide first aid for strokes.

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the muscles of the arms, legs, face (especially on one side).
2. Sudden speech disturbance.
3. Abruptly arisen dizziness.
4. Sudden visual impairment of one or both eyes (turbidity, doubling, or total loss).
5. Sudden severe headache for unknown reason.
6. Violation of coordination of movements.
7. Confusion of consciousness.

The sooner medical care is provided, and especially the first 3 hours (they are considered the most valuable and called the therapeutic window) are especially important, the rehabilitation after a stroke, the restoration of motor, sensory and speech disorders will be much faster in the post insult period.