Family Strokes: Firefighter Career Dreams And Health Risks

Having a family history of stroke can increase your risk of having a stroke by up to 30%. This risk is further heightened if a family member experienced a stroke before the age of 65. While genetics play a role, shared environmental factors and habits also contribute to the likelihood of strokes running in families.

Genes can influence your risk of stroke in several ways. You may inherit a disorder that increases your risk, such as sickle cell anemia, or a mutation that causes risk factors like hypertension or diabetes. Knowing your family history can help you be more aware of your own risk and take steps to lower it.

While anyone can have a stroke, certain factors increase your risk. These include age, sex, race or ethnicity, diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and various health conditions. Managing these risk factors can help reduce your chances of having a stroke, even if you have a family history.

How does family history affect my chances of becoming a fireman?

Having a family history of stroke can increase your risk of having a stroke by up to 30%. This is because you may inherit a disorder that increases your risk of stroke, or you may be more likely to engage in behaviours that increase your risk.

Genetic Disorders

If you have a family history of stroke, you may have inherited a genetic disorder that increases your risk of stroke. These include:

• Sickle cell anemia
• CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy)
• CARASIL (cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy)
• Collagen 4 (COL4A1) mutations
• Fabry disease
• Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS)
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Risk Factors

Additionally, your genes may increase your chances of engaging in behaviours that increase your risk of stroke. These include:

• Smoking
• Lack of physical activity
• Unhealthy diet
• Alcohol consumption

While you can't change your genetics, you can reduce your risk of having a stroke by making healthy lifestyle changes. This includes:

• Maintaining a moderate weight
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Managing any medical conditions that can lead to stroke

What are the risk factors for stroke?

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when blood cannot get to all parts of the brain. This can cause injury to brain cells as blood carries oxygen and nutrients to them. There are several risk factors for stroke, some of which are controllable, while others are not.

Risk Factors for Stroke That Are Not Within Your Control

Some risk factors for stroke are simply beyond one's control, and these include:

• Age: The likelihood of having a stroke increases with age. While it is more common among the elderly, people under 65, and even babies and children, can also have strokes.
• Family History: If a close relative has had a stroke, particularly before the age of 65, your risk may be greater. In some cases, strokes are caused by genetic disorders like CADASIL, which can block blood flow in the brain.
• Gender: Women have more strokes than men, and stroke kills more women than men. Several factors may increase stroke risk for women, including a history of preeclampsia/eclampsia, gestational diabetes, oral contraceptive use, and post-menopausal hormone therapy.
• Race: Black people have a much higher risk of death from a stroke than white people. This is due to societal barriers and systems that have negatively impacted their health over decades, leading to a higher risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
• Prior Stroke or Heart Attack: A person who has had a stroke or heart attack is at a much higher risk of having another stroke.

Risk Factors for Stroke That Can Be Controlled

There are also several risk factors for stroke that are within your control, and these include:

• High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) is the biggest risk factor for stroke and can lead to blocked or weakened arteries, which can cause a stroke.
• Physical Inactivity: Lack of physical activity is the second biggest risk factor for stroke as it can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and being overweight, all of which increase your risk of stroke.
• Diet: Eating unhealthy food can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and being overweight, all of which are risk factors for stroke.
• Obesity: Being overweight can lead to high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, increasing your risk of stroke.
• Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol can contribute to high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, being overweight, and uncontrolled diabetes, all of which increase the risk of stroke.
• Smoking: Smoking can lead to high blood pressure and narrow and harden your arteries, increasing your risk of stroke.

While some risk factors for stroke are beyond your control, it is important to remember that many risk factors can be managed and treated. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive drinking can significantly reduce your risk of stroke. Additionally, regular health check-ups and working with a healthcare professional to manage any existing conditions can also help lower your risk.

How can I reduce my risk of stroke?

While you cannot change your age or family history, there are many other stroke risk factors that you can control. Here are some ways to reduce your risk of stroke:

Lower Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a significant factor in strokes, so it is important to monitor your blood pressure and keep it in check. An ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80, but you should consult with your doctor to determine a realistic and healthy goal for you. To help lower your blood pressure, reduce your salt and cholesterol intake, eat more fruits and vegetables, and exercise more.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity increases your risk of stroke, as well as complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Losing weight can significantly impact your stroke risk. Work with your doctor to determine a healthy weight goal and develop a weight loss strategy.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise contributes to weight loss and lowering blood pressure, but it is also an independent stroke reducer. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, five days a week. Walking, golfing, and playing tennis are some recommended activities.

Quit Smoking

Smoking accelerates clot formation and increases plaque buildup in the arteries. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your stroke risk. Consult your doctor for advice and aids to help you quit.

Drink Alcohol in Moderation

Drinking a small amount of alcohol, such as one drink per day, is generally considered okay. However, excessive drinking can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of stroke. It is recommended that men have no more than two drinks per day, and women no more than one.

Treat Medical Conditions

If you have heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, take steps to manage these conditions. Work with your doctor and follow their recommendations for treatment, lifestyle changes, and medication.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

The symptoms of a stroke vary depending on the type of stroke and the area of the brain that is affected. They can occur quickly or develop over hours or even days. Some common symptoms of a stroke include:

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech
• Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
• Sudden trouble seeing from one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination

The FAST test is a useful way to remember the signs of a stroke and what to do:

• Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• Time: If you observe any of these signs, call emergency services right away. Early treatment is crucial and can increase survival rates and lower disability rates.

It is important to note that some strokes can be silent strokes, where there are no obvious warning signs or symptoms, but they can still cause brain cell death and lead to subtle problems in movement and mental processing.

What are the different types of stroke?

Strokes are medical emergencies that occur when there is a disruption to the blood flow to the brain. They can cause serious symptoms, lasting disabilities, and even death. There are several types of strokes, which can be classified by their cause, location, and the blood vessels involved. Here is an overview of the different types of strokes:

Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic strokes are the most common type, accounting for about 87% of all strokes. They occur when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. This can be due to a buildup of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) in the blood vessels. There are two main types of ischemic strokes:

• Thrombotic Stroke: This is caused by a blood clot that forms in an artery supplying blood to the brain.
• Embolic Stroke: This happens when a clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels through the blood vessels to the brain, blocking blood flow.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a weakened blood vessel supplying blood to the brain ruptures or breaks, causing bleeding into the surrounding tissues. This type of stroke is often caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure, aneurysms, or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). There are two types of hemorrhagic strokes:

• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Bleeding occurs in the area between the brain and the skull.
• Intracerebral Hemorrhage: This is bleeding inside the brain.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Also known as a mini-stroke, a TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that does not cause long-term damage. However, it is a warning sign that a more severe stroke may occur soon. Symptoms of a TIA can include numbness or weakness on one side of the body, dizziness, trouble speaking or understanding, and vision problems.

Cryptogenic Stroke

A cryptogenic stroke is a stroke of unknown cause. In some cases, the specific cause of a stroke cannot be determined, and it is classified as a cryptogenic stroke.

Brain Stem Stroke

A stroke occurring in the brain stem can affect both sides of the body and may result in a "locked-in" state, where the person is unable to speak or move below the neck. Brain stem strokes are considered the most lethal type of stroke.

It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke, as prompt medical attention is crucial for improving outcomes. The acronyms F-A-S-T and B-E-F-A-S-T can help identify stroke signs and know when to call for emergency medical assistance.

Frequently asked questions