Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. About 137,000 Americans die of stroke every year.
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. You can greatly reduce your risk for stroke through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.
Stroke can cause death or significant disability such as paralysis, speech difficulties and emotional problems. Some new treatments can reduce stroke damage if patients get medical care soon after symptoms begin. When a stroke happens, it is important to recognize the symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away and get to a hospital quickly.
High blood pressure - also called hypertension, can greatly increase your risk for stroke. Smoking cigarettes, eating a diet high in salt and drinking too much alcohol can all raise your blood pressure.
High blood cholesterol - can build up fatty deposits (plaque) on blood vessel walls. The deposits can block blood flow to the brain, cause a stroke. Diet, exercise and family history affect blood cholesterol levels.
Heart disease - common heart disorders can increase your risk for stroke. For example, coronary artery disease (CAD) increases your risk because a fatty substance called plaque blocks the arteries that bring blood to the heart. Other heart conditions, such as heart valve defects irregular heartbeat (including atrial fibrillation), and enlarged heart chambers, can cause blood clots that may break loose and cause a stroke.
Diabetes - having diabetes can increase your risk of stroke and can make the outcome of strokes worse. Diabetes is a condition that causes blood to build up too much sugar instead of delivering it to body tissues. High blood sugar tends to occur with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Overweight and obesity - being overweight or obese can raise total cholesterol levels, increase blood pressure and promote the development of diabetes.
Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) - if you have already had a stroke or a TIA, also known as a "mini-stroke", there is a greater chance that you could have a stroke in the future.
Tobacco use - smoking injures blood vessels and speeds up the hardening of the arteries. The carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen that you blood can carry. Secondhand smoke can increase the risk of stroke for nonsmokers.
Alcohol use - drinking too much alcohol raises your blood pressure, which increases the risk for stroke. It also increases levels of triglycerides, a form of cholesterol, which can harden your arteries.
Physical inactivity - not getting enough exercise can make you gain weight, which can lead to increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Inactivity also is a risk factor for diabetes.