Understanding Strokes: Causes And Risk Factors

why do you get a stroke

A stroke, or brain attack, occurs when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain, such as blocked blood vessels or bleeding in the brain. Brain cells are highly sensitive to oxygen deprivation, and begin to die within minutes. Strokes are a medical emergency, and can lead to permanent brain damage or death. Immediate medical attention is critical to prevent long-term harm.

Characteristics Values
Type of stroke Ischemic, Hemorrhagic
Ischemic stroke cause Blocked blood flow to the brain
Hemorrhagic stroke cause Bleeding in the brain
Risk factors High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, age, family history, race, gender, weight, medications, tobacco, heart disease, etc.
Symptoms Loss of balance, loss of vision, muscle weakness, loss of speech, etc.

medshun

High blood pressure

Hypertension also makes you more likely to have atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat. It causes blood to collect in the heart, where a clot can form. AFib is very dangerous because it raises your chances of stroke fivefold.

To reduce your risk of having a stroke, it is important to manage high blood pressure. This can be done through medication and lifestyle changes, such as eating less salt, sugar, and saturated fats, getting regular exercise, and reducing stress.

medshun

Heart disease

The risk of heart disease and stroke can be reduced by making healthy lifestyle choices and having regular medical check-ups. This includes not smoking, eating healthy foods, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress.

medshun

Diabetes

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes means that the body cannot produce insulin at all, and it often starts in childhood. Type 2 diabetes is when the body does not produce enough insulin or the body's cells do not respond to insulin correctly. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, accounting for about 90% of cases.

The risk of stroke is higher in people with diabetes because high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, making them more likely to become blocked or ruptured. Specifically, high blood sugar levels can make blood vessels become stiff and cause a build-up of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis). These changes can lead to a blood clot, and if a clot travels to the brain, it causes a stroke.

People with diabetes tend to develop heart disease or have a stroke at an earlier age than those without diabetes. Additionally, the risk of severe complications or death from a stroke is higher for people with diabetes. This is because diabetes can make it harder for the body to respond to a stroke. When the oxygen supply to the brain is cut off, other arteries can usually serve as a bypass. However, if you have diabetes, those vessels may be hardened or clogged with plaque, making it more difficult for blood to reach the brain.

To lower the risk of stroke, people with diabetes should aim to control their blood sugar levels, stay at a healthy weight, get their cholesterol checked, limit alcohol consumption, and control their blood pressure. Taking preventive medicines and daily low-dose aspirin, if prescribed by a doctor, can also help.

medshun

Smoking

People who smoke are twice as likely to experience a stroke. The more you smoke, the more likely you are to have a stroke. People who smoke 20 cigarettes a day are six times more likely to have a stroke than non-smokers.

There are several ways in which smoking increases the risk of stroke:

  • Cholesterol: Smoking reduces 'good' high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and increases 'bad' low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
  • Oxygen levels: Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide, which reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood.
  • Blood pressure: Tobacco contains nicotine, which elevates heart rate and blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for strokes.
  • Blood clotting: The chemicals in tobacco smoke thicken the blood and make it more prone to clotting.

When arteries become narrow and less flexible, it reduces blood flow, raises blood pressure, and increases the likelihood of blood clots. If a clot occurs and travels to the brain, or if blood vessels in the brain burst, it will cause a stroke.

If you've experienced a stroke, continuing to smoke more than doubles your risk of having another one.

medshun

High cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol: HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or "good" cholesterol, and non-HDL or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) "bad" cholesterol. HDL helps to remove excess cholesterol from your body, while LDL can lead to the build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries. Eating too much saturated fat and not enough unsaturated fats can cause high cholesterol. Other factors that can affect your cholesterol levels include alcohol consumption, gender, age, and family history.

To manage high cholesterol, it is recommended to make lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking prescribed medication. It is important to get your cholesterol levels checked regularly, especially if you have other risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of stroke.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment