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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 who have had a stroke or TIA are more at risk of having another stroke, 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. Here are the most 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 in minutes or 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. Why does a history of stroke or TIA increase my stroke risk?If you have had a stroke, you have a 20% chance of having another one in the next 2 years. That's 1 in 5! And recurrent strokes are more likely to be fatal. If you have had a TIA, there is about a 12% (1 in 8) chance that you will have a full-blown stroke within 3 months. Half of those who do have a stroke will have it within 2 days of the TIA. Why are strokes so common in people who have already had a stroke or TIA? The answer is simple - if you've already had a stroke or TIA, you probably have risk factors that increase your stroke risk. If these risk factors have not been controlled, you have a very strong risk of having another stroke. But there is good news. By combining different lifestyle changes and medical interventions, it has been suggested that 80% of secondary strokes can be prevented. 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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