Consumers A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, either by narrowed blood vessels or blood clots or when there is bleeding in the brain. Deprived of nutrients, brain nerve cells begin to die within a few minutes. As a result, stroke can cause vision and sensory loss, problems with walking and talking, or difficulty in thinking clearly. In many cases, the effects of stroke are irreversible.
Some people are more at risk for stroke than others.
Chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can increase your risk, as well as lifestyle choices such as smoking cigarettes, being overweight, or drinking excessively. Men, African Americans, and people with a family history of stroke have a higher risk as well. Preventing Stroke Experts now believe that stroke is as preventable as heart attack. In addition to primary prevention tactics such as quitting smoking, drinking only in moderation, and exercising, there are medical interventions that can decrease your risk of stroke if you are in a high-risk group. If you have atrial fibrillation, the upper left chamber of your heart beats rapidly and unpredictably, making it hard for all the blood in the chamber to empty.