Stroke: Identify these factors and reduce your risk!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: A stroke, also called cerebrovascular accident or CVA, is a serious medical condition that requires an urgent treatment. It can happen to anyone at any time. Most strokes occur when an artery that carries blood to the brain is blocked and the blood supply to the brain is cut off.

There are two types of strokes -

Ischemic stroke, which is more common and caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain.

Hemorrhagic stroke , which is caused by a weakened blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain.

Risk factors for stroke

There are certain risk factors that can increase your chances of having a stroke. Some risk factors can't be controlled, such as your age, gender or family history. But you can control some risk factors by making modern changes in your life and incorporating healthy habits that can help you stave off strokes.

Lifestyle risk factors

• Being overweight or obese
• Physical inactivity
• Eating habits – heavy or binge drinking
• Smoking

Medical risk factors

• High blood pressure
• Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Cardiovascular disease - heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or abnormal heart rhythm

You can control both lifestyle and medical risk factors for stroke through lifestyle changes and medication.