A stroke is the fourth leading killer in the United States alone. It can lead to permanent disability and can rob you of a precious and fulfilling future. Many families have lost their sense of purpose or livelihood when an important earning member of the family has suffered from a stroke.

A stroke is a brain attack. It occurs when blood supply to brain is cut off. The brain cells begin to die due to lack of oxygen-rich blood. There are basically two kinds of strokes. Let us have a look at various forms of strokes.

Different Types Of strokes

Ischemic Stroke

This stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to the brain is blocked. The block can occur due to a clot, which is called as thrombosis, formation of a clot that has travelled from another part of the body into the brain, also called as an embolism or narrowing of an artery called as stenosis. The ischemic stroke is the most common form of stroke and occurs in 80% of the cases.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

This stroke occurs when the brain starts to bleed internally due to a severe haemorrhage. This could happen in the case of an injury or accident as commonly seen on Television.

Risk Factors

There are certain risk factors that predispose you to a stroke. Men in general are more susceptible to a stroke than women are. A family history of stroke puts you at risk of getting a stroke at some point in life. The family history becomes a profound factor especially if members in the family are suffering from hypertension or coronary heart disease. Obesity is another risk factor. Knowing the risk factors can allow you to take preventive steps in order to prevent a stroke from occurring.

Prevention Of Stroke

Control High Blood Pressure

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A high blood pressure is one of the biggest reasons for a stroke. The incidences of blood clots in hypertensives are very high and this incidence increases with age. You need to chalk out an important strategy with your doctor to bring down your blood pressure. This can be done by taking exercise, cutting down on salt and eating healthy food like fibrous fruits and vegetables.

Cut Cigarette Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. It is responsible for build-up of plaque in the carotid artery, the main artery that is responsible for supplying blood to the brain. Nicotine also raises blood pressure and the carbon dioxide interferes with the supply of oxygen to the brain. Compounded, these factors can prove to be lethal. Get into a rehabilitation camp in order to quit smoking.

Treat Heart Disease

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If you are suffering from heart disease, it can be easily controlled with the help of a healthy lifestyle. Cutting down on alcohol, junk food and taking in moderate exercise everyday can cut your risk of stroke by more than half. Surgery, if necessary to remove clots or plaque formation, should be carried out.

Know The Warning Signs

Get informed and know all about the signs and symptoms of a stroke. This can help you to evacuate the patient to the hospital immediately and prevent serious brain damage. If a person has had a stroke, the chances of having another stoke are doubled. The second stroke can even prove to be fatal.

Diabetes

Diabetes is gaining a reputation of destroying the blood circulation system of the body. The resultant effect is the occurrence of embolism and thrombosis in the different blood vessels of the body. Knowing these risk factors and working towards eliminating them can help you to achieve victory over a stroke.

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