An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain
is blocked by a clot and a hemorrhagic stroke occurs due to leakage of
blood into the brain. Brain cells may die if they do not receive blood
and oxygen for a long a time.
Risks: Risk factors can be broadly classified into controllable and
uncontrollable risks. The controllable risks include:
Smoking: Tobacco smokers are at increased risk of getting
a cerebrovascular disease.
Hypertension: Controlling high blood pressure could help in
prevention of cerebrovascular disease.
Carotid or other arterial disease: Narrowing of the carotid
arteries due to plaque deposits reduces the supply of blood
to the brain. A clot may cause complete blockade of blood supply
History of Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA)
Diabetes: Untreated diabetes may cause a stroke.
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Physical inactivity and obesity lead to high blood cholesterol
levels, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Women are at risk of stroke during pregnancy or during the
weeks immediately after delivery.
Alcohol and drug abuse must be avoided.
Injury to brain must be avoided. (2, 3).
Uncontrollable risk factors include:
Age: People of all ages are at risk for cerebrovascular
disease but older people have a greater risk.
Heredity and Race: Children, grandchildren or siblings
of a stroke victiml have a greater risk of developing
cerebrovascular disease. African-Americans stand a higher risk of dying
due to stroke as compared to Caucasians, since black
people are more prone to hypertension, and diabetes.
Prior Stroke or Heart Attack: An individual with
a history of strokes or heart attacks are at a higher risk
of having another stroke (3).
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