What are the Most Common Stroke Risk Factors?

A stroke is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs due to a decrease in blood supply or oxygen to the brain. It is the third leading cause of death of women in the US, killing over 90,000 women a year. It is also among the leading causes of adult disability. However, you can control and treat some factors for stroke. This post will give you an idea of both controllable and uncontrollable factors for stroke.

Types of Stroke

There are two types of stroke- ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. In an ischemic stroke, there is a reduced supply of blood to a part of the brain. The brain tissues do not get oxygen and nutrients. As a result, brain cells begin to die within minutes. In a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts and causes bleeding in the brain. There is an increase in the blood pressure on the cells of the brain, leading to brain damage.

Risk Factors for Stroke

Risk factors refer to traits and lifestyle habits that increase the chances of getting a stroke. Knowledge of these risk factors will help you calculate your personal risk and is the first step to preventing a stroke. Medical practitioners have divided these risk factors into controllable and uncontrollable ones.

Controllable Factors

1.      High Blood Pressure.

This is recognized as a leading cause of stroke. Try to control your blood pressure by eating healthy foods and avoiding stress. Get your blood pressure checked regularly.

2.      High Cholesterol.

 Eating fatty and salty foods can increase cholesterol deposits in the arteries. This can block blood supply and oxygen to the heart or the brain, leading to a stroke.

3.      Diabetes.

Diabetes impacts your body’s ability to make or use insulin correctly, leading to a rise in glucose. This can damage the blood vessels in your body and is a high-risk factor for stroke.

4.      Excessive Alcohol Intake.

Having more than one drink per day for women or more than two drinks a day for men can increase the chance of stroke.

5.      Sleep Apnea.

 Irregular breathing during sleep can increase the risk of stroke.

6.      Blood Disorders.

High red blood cell count increases the possibility of clots, making stroke more likely. Sickle cell anemia also increases the risk of stroke because the sickled cells stick to blood vessel walls and block arteries.

7.      Smoking and Vaping.

These lead to damage within the blood vessels and can cause a stroke. Don’t smoke or vape and avoid secondhand smoke.

8.      Obesity and Physical Inactivity.

Being inactive and obese can both raise your chances of stroke. Stay physically active and reach and maintain a healthy weight.

9.      Drug Use.

Cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, and amphetamines are connected to an increased risk of stroke.

10.  Heart Diseases.

Carotid artery disease, transient ischemic attacks, and atrial fibrillation disease all increase the risk of a stroke.

Uncontrollable Factors.

Increasing age, female gender, black and Hispanic people, and people who have had a prior stroke are at higher risk of having a stroke.

Conclusion

You can reduce the chances of a stroke by having regular medical checkups and understanding your risk. However, there are some factors you are born with, like ethnicity or hereditary elements, that you cannot control and just have to accept and live with. If you suspect medical malpractice may have contributed to increased risk, a Phoenix medical malpractice lawyer can help evaluate your potential for compensation.