Stroke awareness is key to preventing long-term risks
Every year, about 800,000 people in the United States – one person, every 40 seconds – suffer strokes, according to the American Stroke Association. But perhaps more surprising is the fact that 80% of strokes are preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The good news for those who suffer a stroke is that death rates are far lower than they once were, and therapies can help lower the lingering effects of a stroke. Here's a general overview of important warning signs, symptoms, and ways to reduce your risk of experiencing a stroke:
What are the stroke warning signs?
Health care professionals who have studied the warning signs and symptoms of strokes have developed the acronym F.A.S.T. to teach individuals how to recognize the symptoms: Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911.
Other symptoms of stroke are not included in the abbreviation:
Symptoms of a stroke
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Why do strokes happen?
Strokes fall into three primary categories:
◾Ischemic stroke: A blocked artery.
◾Hemorrhagic stroke: A ruptured or bleeding blood vessel.
◾Transient ischemic attack: The brain's blood supply is momentarily cut off. Usually, these don't result in long-lasting effects.
Factors that raise your risk of stroke
The accumulation of plaque (or cholesterol) in the arteries, which raises the risk of blood clotting, is caused by several risk factors. For example, tobacco use is known to restrict blood vessels, and high blood pressure can harm artery walls that have already been narrowed by plaque buildup, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Where in the U.S. do strokes occur the most?
Ways to lower your stroke risk
It is possible to reduce your chances of stroke by managing certain risk factors. According to the CDC, a healthy lifestyle is key. Obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes are the main risk factors for strokes. In the U.S., one in three adults falls into at least one of these groups, according to the CDC.
While still rare, heart attacks and strokes are now occurring at higher rates among people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, according to the American College of Cardiology.
Here are some ways to help manage your health:
SOURCES American Stroke Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American College of Cardiology, The American Heart Association, Mayo Clinic, Healthline.com and Paste BN research
This story was updated to add new information.