Who is at Risk?
Anyone can have a stroke, but some of us are more likely to have one than others. It is important to know if you are at higher risk so that you can ensure you’re aware of the warning signs. You might not be aware if you have a weakened blood vessel that could burst, but other risk factors for stroke can be screened for and often changed.
Most strokes happen when there is a blood clot or blockage in the blood vessels supplying the brain. Luckily, many of the factors that increase the risk of these kinds of blockages are under our control so you can take steps to reduce your risk.
You are more likely to have a stroke if:
– You are overweight
– You smoke
– You drink a lot of alcohol
– You have high cholesterol
– Your blood pressure is high
– You have certain conditions such as diabetes or atrial fibrillation
Eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and enjoying a healthy lifestyle can help to lower many of these risks.
If you want to find out your stroke risk then you should talk to your doctor or arrange health screening. Getting your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and other factors checked can tell you if you are more likely to develop a blood clot or to have a blocked artery that could cause a stroke.
Why It’s Important and What to Do?
If you think that you or another person might be having a TIA or stroke then you need to get help right away. A stroke is a medical emergency as the faster you get treatment, the better. Call an ambulance right away and tell them that you suspect a stroke. Remember that you still need to go to hospital if the symptoms disappear as it may have been a mini-stroke.
