Am I in Danger of Having a Stroke?

Am I in Danger of Having a Stroke?

Stroke is the third leading cause of death each year in the United States, affecting about 795,000 people and killing about 144,000 of those. Strokes are also the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. While some stroke risk factors can be controlled, others cannot. Have you ever wondered, “Am I in danger of having a stroke?”

Uncontrollable Factors

Age

With each decade after the age of 55, your chances for having a stroke double. However, while strokes are most common in those over 65, they can affect people of any age.

Gender

While strokes are more common in men, more than half of all stroke deaths in a given year occur in women. Use of birth control pills and pregnancy increase the risks for women.

Family History and Race

If one of your immediate family members has ever had a stroke, your risk is increased. Additionally, African Americans have a greater chance of dying from a stroke than Caucasians, due to an increased prevalence of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.

Controllable Factors

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is the most controllable risk factor, as well as the most important one, because it is the leading cause of strokes. Some believe that a decline in stroke deaths in recent years may be due to the availability of more effective medications for controlling the condition.

Cigarette Smoking

The nicotine and carbon monoxide found in cigarette smoke damage the cardiovascular system in many ways. When combined with birth control pills, the danger rises.

Diabetes Mellitus

While diabetes can be controlled, the presence of the disease increases your risk for stroke. Additionally, many people with diabetes are overweight and have high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, which increases the risk.

High Blood Cholesterol

High blood cholesterol increases your chance for stroke. Additionally, low levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol, may also be a risk factor. Medications and changes in diet can help treat this condition.

Obesity and Physical Inactivity

Unfortunately, either one or both can increase your risk for stroke, as well as increasing your risk for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes. Even 30 minutes of activity each day, combined with a healthy diet low in saturated fats, trans fats, salt, and cholesterol, can lead to better health.

Lesser Known Risks

Interestingly, geographic location can predict your chance of stroke. Because strokes are so much more common in the southeastern United States, the area is sometimes referred to as the stroke belt.

Alcohol abuse can lead to stroke. If you are a man who consumes more than two drinks daily or a woman who consumes more than one, your risk is increased.

Socioeconomic status may also affect your risk. Strokes are more common among low-income people than those who are affluent, perhaps in part to reduced availability of health care.

Drug abuse may account for many strokes seen in younger victims. Cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin all increase your risk for stroke.

Almost 90 percent of all strokes happen because of clots that block the arteries in the brain. The leading cause of these clots is carotid artery disease, a condition where plaque accumulates in the arteries supplying blood to the neck and brain. When this plaque breaks loose and travels to smaller arteries in the brain, a stroke occurs.

Unfortunately, more than half of all stroke victims exhibit no symptoms beforehand. However, easy, non-invasive tests using color Doppler ultrasound can identify your risk. By detecting the problem early, up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.