Medical professionals emphasize that there are at least five risk factors that, when treated, can decrease the possibility of stroke. Knowing stroke's warning signs and seeking emergency help immediately if they appear can reduce the risk of death or disability significantly. This cuts off oxygen and can kill brain cells, affecting neurological functions such as speech, vision, coordination, and thought. An ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain or neck is blocked, is the most common stroke, responsible for about 80 percent of cases. Less common is hemorrhagic stroke, in which a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding into the brain or in the spaces surrounding the brain.
Stroke is an equal threat to men and women.
It occurs in all age groups and races, though African-Americans suffer more severe strokes and have a death rate nearly double that of whites. A study in the May 1997 issue of the journal Stroke showed that stroke deaths in this Southern region are more than double those of the nation overall in ages 35 to 54. For ages 55 to 74, deaths in the belt are 1.7 times greater. He says possible factors include the region's lifestyle choices such as smoking more or eating more fat and salt. Though most strokes occur in adults over 40, children also have strokes, though these are typically caused by underlying conditions such as congenital heart disease or sickle cell anemia.