Stroke prevention, protecting your health Published May 17, 2010 By Marilyn Leggett, RN Civilian Health Promotion Services EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- In addition to blood pressure education, May is American Stroke Month. High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke, but it is important to know more about this debilitating condition and how to protect against it. According to the American Stroke Association (ASA), a division of the American Heart Association, about 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year; every four minutes someone dies of a stroke. Stroke kills more than 137,000 people a year and is the third cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. Americans will pay nearly 74 billion dollars in 2010 for stroke-related medical costs and disability. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot (called an ischemic stroke) or bursts (a hemorrhagic stroke). When these happen, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs and starts to die. As the brain controls various body functions, the specific region or regions of the body are affected leading to symptoms such as paralysis, vision loss, or inability to speak. The effects of a stroke depend on the location in the brain and the extent of tissue affected. As each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke occurring in the brain's left side, for example, will affect the right side of the body. According to the ASA, some stroke risk factors are hereditary, some are a function of natural processes, and others are related to lifestyle. Some factors that can't be changed include age, heredity, race, gender, and history of previous stroke, TIA, or heart attack. Transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, are referred to as "mini strokes"; they occur when a blood clot blocks an artery for a short time. The symptoms of a TIA are the same as with a stroke, but they usually last only a few minutes; however, about 15 percent of strokes are preceded by TIAs so a TIA should be treated as a medical emergency. The chance for stroke nearly doubles for each decade after age 55. The risk is greater if a parent, grandparent, or sibling has had a stroke. Risk for African-Americans is greater primarily because that population tends to have higher risks of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Stroke is more common in men than women; however, more than half of total stoke deaths occur in women. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and the most controllable risk factor. Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor as nicotine and carbon monoxide in smoke damage the cardiovascular system in many ways. Using oral contraceptives and smoking greatly increases stroke risk. Diseases of the arteries, heart rhythm disorders, sickle cell anemia, high blood cholesterol, poor diet, obesity and lack of activity are all risk factors that can be treated or controlled. Stroke is largely preventable and risk can be reduced by following a healthy lifestyle--control high blood pressure, don't smoke, eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, be physically active and maintain a healthy body weight. Manage diabetes optimally and everyone should drink alcohol in moderation if at all. There are treatments today that may reduce the risk of damage from stroke but only if caught quickly, within three hours of your first symptoms. Visit the American Stroke Association website at www.StrokeAssociation.org to learn more about recognizing stroke symptoms.