Beat the Heat this Summer with Stroke Risk Factor Education!

The summer months are ideal for taking time out of your pool side schedule for some stroke risk factor education with your doctor.

Most people don’t know that anyone – even babies, small children and teenagers – can have a stroke. The good news is that up to 80% of strokes are preventable. By knowing your own personal risk factors for stroke, you are taking prevention measures that can help you stay healthy and lessen your chances of having a stroke.

According to National Stroke Association, risk factors for stroke are certain criteria that typically fall into two categories: controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. Uncontrollable risk factors are beyond your control -- such as being over age 55, being male, being African American , Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, or having a family history of stroke. Other stroke risk factors, like high blood pressure or being overweight, are controllable . There are other diseases, such as diabetes, and lifestyle choices, such as unhealthy eating and not exercising, that can be changed.

National Stroke Association has a free and easy-to-use Stroke Risk Scorecard that you can use to test your own personal risk for stroke. Once you complete the Scorecard, schedule a visit with your doctor to discuss the results and design a plan for better controlling your risk factors. Visit www.stroke.org/risk to download the Scorecard now.

Spotlight on High Blood Pressure as a Stroke Risk Factor
The summer months are ideal for taking time out of your pool side schedule for some stroke risk factor education with your doctor.

Anyone can have a stroke. The good news is that up to 80% of strokes are preventable. By knowing your own personal risk factors for stroke, such as whether or not you have high blood pressure, you are taking prevention measures that can help you stay healthy and lessen your chances of having a stroke. According to National Stroke Association, risk factors for stroke are certain criteria that typically fall into two categories: controllable and uncontrollable risk factors.

Uncontrollable risk factors are beyond your control -- such as being over age 55, being male, being African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, or having a family history of stroke. Other stroke risk factors, like high blood pressure or being overweight, are controllable. There are other diseases, such as diabetes, and lifestyle choices, such as unhealthy eating and not exercising, that can be changed.

As many as 65 million Americans have high blood pressure. Almost one third of these people don't know they have it and the problem goes untreated. High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of stroke because it puts unnecessary stress on blood vessel walls, causing them to thicken and deteriorate, which can eventually lead to a stroke. It can also speed up several common forms of heart disease.

When blood vessel walls thicken with increased blood pressure, cholesterol or other fat-like substances may break off of artery walls and block a brain artery. In other instances, the increased stress can weaken blood vessel walls, leading to a vessel breakage and a brain hemorrhage.

For people over age 18, normal blood pressure is considered less than 120/80. Blood pressure, like your heart, will vary occasionally with exercise or stress. A blood pressure reading consistently higher than 120/80 is considered pre-hypertension. People with pre-hypertension are more likely to progress to high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a measurement of 140/90 or higher. If your blood pressure is 120/80 or higher, work with your doctor to develop a plan to control and lower it. Maintaining your blood pressure below 140/90 may reduce the risk of further problems.

National Stroke Association has a free and easy-to-use Stroke Risk Scorecard that you can use to test your own personal risk for stroke. Once you complete the Scorecard, schedule a visit with your doctor to discuss the results and design a plan for better controlling your risk factors. Visit www.stroke.org/risk to download the Scorecard now.