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Stroke 101:
Know the facts
A
stroke, or brain attack, occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery
or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood ow to an area of the
brain. When this happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage
occurs.
When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that
area of the brain are lost. ese abilities can include speech, move-
ment and memory.
Who is at risk for stroke?
Anyone can have a stroke, so it is
important to know your risk factors
to help prevent one. ere are both
controllable and uncontrollable risk
factors.
Uncontrollable risk factors:
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being over age 55
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being male
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being African American
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having a family history of stroke.
Controllable risk factors:
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high blood pressure
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high cholesterol
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smoking
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diabetes
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obesity
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alcohol use
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circulation problems
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atherosclerosis
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arterial brillation.
Things to know
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In the United States, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death,
killing more than 133,000 people each year, and a leading cause of
serious, long-term adult disability.
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ere are an estimated 7 million stroke survivors over age 20 in
the United States.
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Approximately 55,000 more women than men have a stroke each
year.
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African Americans have almost twice the risk of a rst-ever stroke
compared with Caucasians.
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Two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke.
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Women are twice as likely as men to die from a stroke than from
breast cancer annually.
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Approximately 795,000 strokes will occur this year, one occurring
every 40 seconds and one taking a life approximately every four
minutes.
If you are at risk for stroke and would like help reducing your
risk, call
434-517-8075
to make an appointment at Halifax Neurol-
ogy. If you or someone you know is having stroke symptoms, call
911 immediately.
For more information, visit our website,
www.hrhs.org
.
Source:
www.stroke.org
Stroke myths
When you or a
loved one needs
emergency care,
our expert team
is here for you.
Myth:
Stroke is
unpreventable.
Truth:
Stroke
is largely
preventable.
Myth:
Stroke
cannot be
treated.
Truth:
Stroke
requires
emergency
treatment.
Myth:
Stroke recov-
ery only happens
for a few months
after a stroke.
Truth:
Stroke
recovery continues
throughout life.
Myth:
Stroke
only a ects
older people.
Truth:
Stroke
can happen to
anyone.
Myth:
Stroke
happens to the
heart.
Truth:
A stroke
is a brain attack.
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