Stroke is the leading cause of disability and one of the most common causes of death in the United States today.
Every year, more than 795,000 Americans have a stroke and at least 130,000 people die from the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Knowing your risks, being aware of the warning signs and taking quick action can help save your life and lead to better stroke recovery.
Stroke basics
Stroke has to do with blood flow to your brain. There are two main types of stroke, ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.
The other type of stroke is called hemorrhagic stroke, and can be either intracerebral or subarachnoid. These types of stroke are less common, accounting for about 13 percent of all strokes.
An intracerebral hemorrhage happens when a blood vessel within the brain bursts, allowing blood to leak into and press on the brain, causing damage. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is caused by bleeding between the brain and the tissue that covers the brain. Both types occur when a weakened blood vessel ruptures, most often due to an aneurysm or an abnormally formed blood vessel.
Additionally, people can experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly called a mini-stroke. This occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery for a short time. The symptoms of TIA are the same as those of a stroke, but usually last only a few minutes. Nonetheless, a TIA is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. In fact, about 15 percent of major strokes are preceded by TIAs, according to the American Stroke Association.
Risk factors
Although risk increases as you grow older, stroke can affect people of any age and any background.
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HEALTH MATTERS: Stroke: What is it and how to survive it