Stroke risk factors and prevention
Common Questions and Answers about Stroke risk factors and prevention
stroke
It is the number two cause of death world-wide and may soon become the leading cause of death worldwide. Risk factors for stroke include advanced age, hypertension (high blood pressure), previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabetes, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, atrial fibrillation, the contraceptive pill, migraine with aura, and thrombophilia (a tendency to thrombosis), patent foramen ovale and several rarer disorders.
High blood pressure is the single most important risk factor for stroke, and in a patient with diabetes it is crucial to control the blood pressure for optimal prevention of future strokes. Other important risk factors for stroke include high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. It is important to work with your physician to control these risk factors, which will lessen your chances of having a stroke or a heart attack.
Aspirin therapy for prevention of blood clots is far inferior to Coumadin, but may be appropriate, I understand, if there are no other risk factors - and if the AFib is not chronic.
I take both... yes, while one must avoid aspirin when on Coumadin for the treatment of pain/fever/swelling, in small dose it can be taken for added cardio protection. It affects a different mechanism of the blood than does Coumadin.
ca for more information and prevention ideas. And, of course, your doctor is the best resource. Good luck!
for people younger than 65 years with no risk factors the untreated annual risk of stroke is about 1%, whereas with one or more risk factors it is about 5%; for people aged 65-75 years with no risk factors the annual risk of stroke is about 4%, and with one or more risk factors it is about 6% per year; and for people older than 75 years with no risk factors the risk of stroke is about 3%-4%, whereas with one or more risk factors it is about 8% (see Box 2) (E1).7,26
from http://www.mja.com.
Yes, cold weather can constrict vessels, and that increases blood pressure. For statisctics, ischemic stroke which accounted for 87% of all strokes recorded, they found that the risk of stroke occurrence on days with low weather temperature was 32% higher than it was on days with high temperature. Hence, they suggested the implementation of "preventive measures ... such as avoiding low temperature.
I am a 73-year-old female, generally in very good health with low risk factors for stroke or heart disease. Past hypertension and hyperlipidemia have been well-controlled with medication for more than ten years. In April 2011 my total cholesterol was 147; LDL 84; TG 85; HDL 46.
Last week I suffered a cryptogenic stroke of the left temporal cortex that presented with garbled speech and difficulty drinking from a cup. (Both symptoms have since resolved completely.
Could Plavix and asprin be used together to help with stroke prevention or is Plavix just as dangerous and Xeralto and Pradaxa?
65 an intermediate risk factor)
Diabetes
Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) (in the past)
If you have at least one of these risk factors, Coumadin may be considered and is clearly beneficial when two or more risk factors are present. Also, if a patient with AFib does have a prior stroke or TIA and no other risk factors, Coumadin is recommended.
t stroke out or have a heart attack and am now on blood thinner with a filter in the vein going to my heart. A sonogram showed a blood clot in the leg that was operated o for the ankle problem. I have DVT in that leg.
My question...My GP says it is SOP for someone my age (65) to have therapy for blood clots following surgery.
The chance of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life after age 55, heredity, race, gender, history of previous TIA or stroke, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, poor physical activity, poor diet, hyperlipidemia etc.
I would suggest that you visit a urologist and rule out all the risk factors listed above and take appropriate treatment.
Best.
s interest in the topic arose when he encountered a 30-something stroke patient who had none of the typical risk factors associated with stroke such as hypertension or diabetes -- but the patient smoked pot.
He and his colleagues then searched the literature and found similar case reports associating marijuana smoking with stroke in younger adults who did not have typical risk factors.
Thanks for comments. I was in hospital for 3 days and had MRI, MRA, 2-day holter, bubble echo, and multiple blood tests for all types of potential causes....all normal except for conclusion that it was a brain stem (pons) small vessel infarct. The attending neurologist did consult with my MS neuro and concluded that it was a stroke. I'm an RPh and don't doubt my treating physicians, but something still is bothering me in that I had no risk factors.
The symptoms occur rapidly and last a short time. The good thing is recovery is complete. It may recur and the risk for future stroke depends on the cause of TIA and management of risk factors.It is important that you control these risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and other associated disorders. Smoking should also be stopped. Take care and regards.
I have been taking metropolol, verapamil and warafin. I recently changed doctors and today the new doctor suggested I stop the warafin and start taking Plavix. I am 52 y/o female. No hyper-tension, no diabetese, no tia/stroke or any of the factors listed for taking warafin instead of aspirin.
The doctor said I was a good candidate for aspirin to prevent clotting but I am allergic to aspirin. Has anyone heard of or personally changed from warafin to plavix?
I do not believe the pacemaker guarantees there will be no recurrence of AFib. The question of how much protection is needed depends on risk factors. I'm not sure how a stroke counts in this regard, but the "conjecture" of AFib is one factor...I assume there is no present state of AFib.
Again, based on risk factors (usually) doctors may prescribe just the use of aspirin for clot risk reduction.
Hi ~ I had a TIA when I was on birth contol pills many years ago and was told back then that I should never go on birth control again due to the risk of having another TIA however my gynecologist suggested that I try Mirena which is an intra-uterine device that releases a low dose of hormone. She said the risk of stroke is minimal because of the type of hormone released. I am looking for a neurologists opinion on this.
It seems from the HIV Prevention forums, both community and expert, that this is not a risk. HIV does not survive outside it's host. Otherwise frottage would just as easily be a risk, which is not.
Sorry to hear about your mother. There are many risk factors and causes of strokes which include, High blood pressure, Atherosclerosis: Heart disease, High cholesterol, Smoking Atrial fibrillation, Diabetes, Overweight, Blood disorders, Excessive alcohol, certain meds, and age and race. There is no specific blood test to predict it.
So from the above list, her Afib could have been a factor. And if she had dementia, perhaps her age as well.
No health risk factors or problems that we know of.
What makes it more worrying is that his younger brother has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour (very tiny and benign they think, but still a wakeup!)
Not similar symptoms at all, but still makes me worry...
You note several of the high risk factors to have a stroke and there are other risk factors. You might try getting some help with lowering your risk factors. Why aren't you taking statins to lower your cholesterol? Why aren't you taking blood pressure medication? Quitting smoking is far far more difficult, but with help you might be able to beat that one too.
Looking at the postings you can see how terrible a stroke can be.
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