Stroke: Know Your Risk

What is stroke?
The term stroke refers to a cardiovascular disease affecting the arteries leading to the brain. It is the third leading cause of death for American women in the United States behind heart disease and cancer, and is the primary cause of serious, longterm disability.

Two types of stroke
When a stroke occurs, a clot either blocks blood vessels that carry oxygen to the brain, or the blood vessels burst.

Ischemic strokes are the most common and occur when the normal blood flow to the brain is blocked. This blockage deprives brain cells of oxygen and nutrients, and cells begin to die.

Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. The major cause of hemorrhagic stroke is high blood pressure.

Two types of these weakened blood vessels are:

• Aneurysms – weakened blood vessels that have swelled. They can rupture and bleed into the brain.
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) – A brain AVM contains weakened blood vessels that direct blood away from normal brain tissue. The weakened blood vessels expand over time and eventually burst, causing bleeding into the brain.

The effects of a stroke are devastating and include: paralysis, vision problems, memory loss, behavioral changes, speech/language problems.

Know Your Risks
Many risk factors are the same for men and women.

Overall, stroke is more common in men than women. However, at all ages, more women than men die from stroke.

To understand your stroke risk, talk to your health care provider. A person's risk of having a stroke can be reduced by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, exercising, and refraining from smoking.

There are numerous symptoms and warning signs of a stroke:

If you experience any of these symptoms, dial 9-1-1 immediately to receive medical attention as soon as possible. The success of treating stroke depends on how soon a person is seen by a health care professional.

A stroke is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can save lives and reduce disability. Treatment varies, depending on the severity and cause of the stroke. For a list of stroke symptoms, see the “Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs” box above.

The Stroke Center at the Penn Neurological Institute offers comprehensive, state-of-the-art care for people who have had a stroke or other critical neurologic condition. The Stroke Center also evaluates patients at risk for stroke and institutes preventive strategies for the patient.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-800-789-PENN or request an appointment online.

	Need an appointment? Request one online 24 hours/day, 7 days/week or call 800-789-PENN (7366) to speak to a referral counselor.