The cutting off of the blood supply to the brain results in a stroke (ischemic stroke). It is cerebrovascular accident that causes death or permanent disability. Sometimes a blood vessel tends to burst which is known as hemorrhagic stroke. Most of the strokes generally are ischemic in nature. In other words, blocking of an artery in the brain by clot (thrombosis), which results in deprivation of blood and oxygen to the brain causes a stroke.
Artherosclerotic plaque (cholesterol as well as calcium deposits on the artery wall)
Stroke happens to be the third leading cause of death in the US. In the year 2002, stroke killed around 162,672 people, thus accounting for 1 out every 15 deaths in the US. Based upon the statistics provided by the American Heart Association nearly 700,000 people in the United States suffer from a stroke every year ( about 500,000 from first stroke and remaining 200,000 from recurrent stroke). About 4 million Americans living after a stroke suffer from impairments and 15 to 30 per cent are permanently disabled. The Association further states that that the stroke cost incurred is about $68 billion in both indirect and direct costs in 2005 in the United States.
Causes of a Stroke
- High blood pressure.
- Heart attack.
- Smoking.
- Diabetes.
- Too much alcohol intake.
- Family history.
- Trauma.
- Oral contraceptives.
One should be able to identify the signs and symptoms of a stroke in order to get immediate treatment. These are signs of strokes which can warn a person before the impending attack:
Signs and symptoms of stroke
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the arms, face and legs.
- Sudden confusion or unable to understand or communicate to others.
- Sudden trouble in seeing either in one eye or both the eyes.
- Sudden severe headaches with no known cause.
- Seizure, which is relatively rare.
- Paralysis or weakness on one side of the entire body.
- Sudden loss of coordination or balance.
- Vomiting.
- Walking becomes difficult.
Strokes can debilitate a person permanently or result in death. It is essential to seek medical help as soon one senses unusual discomfort physically.
