brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Overview of Stroke
Risk factors for stroke
Some risk factors for stroke can be controlled or modified to some extent—for example, by treating the disorder that increases risk of stroke. Themajor modifiable risk factorsfor both types of stroke are High Blood Pressure None Dyslipidemia None Diabetes Mellitus (DM) None Insulinresistance (an inadequate response toinsulin), which occurs in type 2 diabetes Cigarette Smoking and Other Tobacco Use None Obesity , particularly if the excess weight is around the abdomen Obstructive sleep apnea None Consumption of too much alcohol Lack of physical activity An unhealthy diet (such as one that is high in saturated Types of Fat , trans fats, and calories) Depression or other mental stresses Heart disorders that increase the risk of blood clots forming in the heart, breaking off, and traveling through the blood vessels as emboli (such as a Acute Coronary Syndromes (Heart Attack; Myocardial Infarction; Unstable Angina) or an abnormal heart rhythm called Infective Endocarditis (infection of the heart's lining and usually of the heart valves) Use of Cocaine or Inflammation of blood vessels ( Overview of Vasculitis ) Many of these factors are also risk factors for Atherosclerosis , which is a common cause of ischemic stroke. In atherosclerosis, arteries are narrowed or blocked by patchy fatty deposits that form in the walls of arteries. Excessive Clotting that result in excessive clotting are a risk factor for ischemic strokes. High blood pressure is a particularly important risk factor for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Forischemic stroke,major modifiable risk factors also include Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter None Narrowing (stenosis) of a carotid artery in the neck Forhemorrhagic stroke,major modifiable risk factors also include Use of anticoagulants (medications that inhibit blood clotting) A bulge in arteries of the brain ( Brain Aneurysms ) An abnormal connections between arteries and veins ( Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) ) The incidence of strokes has declined in recent decades, mainly because people are more aware of the importance of controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels and stopping cigarette smoking. Controlling these factors reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. Risk factors that cannot be modifiedinclude Having had a stroke previously Being older Having relatives who have had a stroke (genetic factors) 