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I want to learn more about Stroke risk reductionI have atrial fibrillation (AFib) and want to learn more about stroke risk reductionI have high blood pressure and want to learn more about stroke risk reductionI have high cholesterol and want to learn more about stroke risk reductionI have diabetes and want to learn more about stroke risk reductionI have had a stroke or TIA ("mini-stroke") and want to reduce the risk of another strokeTalking to your doctorWorking with your doctor is an important part of managing your risk of stroke. Be prepared and learn how to talk to your doctor. Why is stroke risk reduction so important for me?Learn more about strokes, stroke causes, why people with high blood pressure are more at risk, and why it's so important to reduce your risk.
What is a stroke?A stroke is a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain. Without the oxygen and nutrients carried by the blood, brain cells begin to die. The longer blood flow is interrupted, the greater the risk of permanent brain damage and death. There are two common types of stroke:
Depending on the part of the brain affected, strokes can affect your vision, mobility, thoughts, memory, and speech. See "How could a stroke affect my health and lifestyle?" to learn more. Some people may have a "mini-stroke," also called a TIA (transient ischemic attack). With a TIA, the blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. A TIA causes the same symptoms as a stroke, but the symptoms usually disappear within 24 hours. However, a TIA is still very serious because it could still cause brain damage, and because it is a warning that you are at risk of a stroke. What is high blood pressure?High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition where the pressure inside the blood vessels is higher than normal. It is very common - about one Canadian in 5 has high blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured using a blood pressure cuff in the doctor's office. The measurement gives 2 numbers (e.g., 120/80):
When your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 (or higher than 130/80 for people with diabetes), your doctor will diagnose high blood pressure (usually after double-checking with a number of different readings). You can't usually see or feel high blood pressure. But it can still take a toll on your health. People with high blood pressure have a higher risk of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney disease, or vision problems. Find out how to manage your blood pressure to reduce your risk of stroke. How does high blood pressure increase my stroke risk?High pressure can damage the delicate walls of your blood vessels. If it affects the blood vessels of the brain, you could have a stroke. This could happen in one of two ways: 1. Blocking the blood supply to the brain:
2. Causing bleeding in the brain:
High blood pressure is the biggest controllable risk factor for a stroke. But if you have high blood pressure, you can take action to try to change this! Get your blood pressure under control and you could reduce your stroke risk by up to 40%! Learn more about other stroke risk factors, and find out what you can do to reduce your risk. What are the symptoms of a stroke?Stroke warning signs Learn to recognize the warning signs of stroke. If you see them, respond immediately by calling 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. It can significantly improve survival and recovery.
If you experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately. © Reproduced with the permission of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 2011. Print the stroke warning signs and put them on your fridge or in your wallet. This list includes common stroke warning signs but is not a complete list of all possible warning signs. Some people may have additional warning signs not listed above. How could a stroke affect my health and lifestyle?The effects of a stroke vary from person to person: some people die, others recover completely, but many have effects that could last a lifetime. Here's what could happen to you after a stroke:
A stroke can affect many different parts of your life, depending on the areas of the brain that were damaged:
Some of these problems may improve over time. Stroke rehabilitation can help people regain some of the function they have lost and live life to the fullest. |
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