Stroke: Causes and Risk Factors
Stroke happens when the brain tissues cannot get adequate nutrition and oxygen. Both are extremely essential for brain to carry out its normal functions. When arteries in brain get clogged, oxygen and glucose supply to brain is altered. If this cut-off is for brief period, the brain can recover from damage. However, if oxygen deprivation lasts longer than 3 to 4 minutes, brain cells begin to die. It leads to irreversible damage.
In some cases, some parts get too affected to carry out their normal functions. But usually, these functions are taken by other parts. In some instances, bleeding from weakened artery can also cause damage to brain tissues.
Types:-
Ischemic: About 80% of strokes belong to this category. They occur on account of formation of a clot in blood vessel.
Hemorrhagic: - Weakened blood vessels is the main reason of occurrence of this condition. When these vessels rupture, uncontrolled bleeding can cause damage to other brain tissues. It is a severe condition as damage caused may be irreversible in nature.
Risk Factors:-
Controllable risk factors:
1.High blood pressure (hypertension): High blood pressure, of 140/90 or greater, is very common risk factor in most of the individuals. Arteries may get weakened as a result of forceful flow of blood.
2.Atherosclerosis: - It is also a leading cause of heart attacks where fatty plaques get build up in the arteries causing their congestion. As a result of blocked vessels, blood supply to brain is thwarted. High cholesterol is the chief reason of Atherosclerosis.
3.Heart disease: - Heart diseases like Coronary heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure, can increase the risk of stroke substantially than other people who do not have cardiac troubles.
4.Smoking and tobacco use:-Smoking reduces oxygen levels in the blood. In the absence of oxygen, blood clots can form more rapidly. Smokers have twice the risk of developing Atherosclerosis and stroke than non-smokers. According to some researchers, excessive alcohol consumption is also a contributing factor.
5.Atrial fibrillation (AFib): -This disorder is characterized by irregular heartbeat and makes a person five times more susceptible to this disease. Blood clots get formed in the heart and may travel to the brain leading to sudden attack.
6.Chronic diseases:-Persons having diabetes and hypertension are also more prone to this disorder. Sedentary lifestyle and obesity increases the risk of these chronic diseases.
7.Sickle cell anemia is also a chief cause of stroke in some cases.
8.Drugs: Certain medications like anticoagulants, birth control pills or patches can increase the risk if an individual is already exposure to other risk factors.
Uncontrollable risk factors:
1.Age above 55 years is related to twice the susceptibility to stroke.
2.Gender: men are more susceptible to this condition but death toll is higher in women.
3.Race: African-Americans are more prone to this disorder.
4.Family history or previous history of stroke and heart attack
5.Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke. It is precursor or warning sign of this disease.
6.Patent foramen ovale or hole in the heart
7.Artery malformations or abnormalities like aneurysm.
About the Author
Jack Williams is a Health Content Writer For carepharmacyrx.com, adviser by profession. He is completed his post graduation in Bio-tech. And he is working with this new pharmacy medicine like Abortion Pills Online and Silagra, in the internet market there many topics he has written for this and he got the good experience.
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