Reducing Risk of


Maintaining a healthy


lifestyle will also help


you reduce the risk of stroke.


Health.gov shares


information on what a stroke is


and what you can do


to reduce the risk of


you or a loved one


having a stroke.


WHAT IS A STROKE? Health.gov defines a stroke — sometimes called a “brain attack” — as when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, which can hurt or kill cells in the brain. Strokes are the leading cause of death in adults. Strokes can cause lifelong damage such as: •Trouble thinking and speaking. •Paralysis •Trouble controlling or expressing emotions.


ARE YOU AT RISK? If you are afraid you are at risk of having a stroke, here is what Health.gov says are the biggest risk factors. The number one risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure. There are no signs or symptoms for high blood pressure, so Health.gov stresses the importance to get your high blood pressure checked regularly. Talk to your doctor about how often to check your blood pressure and whether measuring at home is right for you. Other risk factors for stroke are smoking, drinking too much alcohol, use of illegal drugs, diabetes and high cholesterol, to name a few.


SIGNS Strokes usually happen unexpectedly and with little to no warning. Health.gov shares signs you can watch for: •Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or trouble walking.


10 Healthy You: a guide to well-being


•Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or trouble under- standing.


•Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.


•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Especially on one side of the body.


•Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.


If you or someone in your family has a stroke, call 911 right away. The chances of you or your loved surviving and recovering depends on how fast emergency help arrives.


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