Stroke Causes

The stroke causes include the formation of a blood clot in the brain or blockage by a clot that traveled to the brain from another region like the legs. A stroke is a medical condition that occurs when blood supply to the brain is blocked.

It is also known as a brain attack, cerebral infarction or cerebrovascular accident. Stroke causes include blockage by a blood clot or interruption of blood flow due to a ruptured blood vessel.

Mild stroke symptoms usually come on suddenly and can include headache, muscle weakness or numbness on one side of the body, changes in vision or hearing, confusion, decreased alertness, loss of balance, difficulty speaking, dizziness, clumsiness and loss of bladder control.

Causes

Strokes caused by blood clots are called ischemic strokes. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused when a blood vessel in the brain bursts open. Cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and high cholesterol increases the risk of stroke. Other medical conditions are linked to a higher than average incidence as well. What causes a stroke can include: diabetes, bleeding disorders, heart disease, age, family history and head injury. In addition to this in some cases medications might contribute to an increased risk of stroke. What causes high cholesterol levels?

Prevention

Since unhealthy lifestyle choices result in heart disease, stroke prevention involves making heart healthy choices. Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and alcohol. Maintain an ideal body weight and exercise on a regular basis. Don't smoke and get regular medical checkups. Keep track of blood pressure readings and cholesterol levels. Follow the doctor's recommendations regarding frequency of testing. In addition, if heart disease or diabetes is present, follow the treatment plan closely to avoid complications. When there is a high risk for stroke, the doctor may suggest blood thinners or he may perform a procedure called a carotid endarterectomy that treats clots in the neck arteries.

Symptoms of Carotid Artery Blockage

A stroke can be diagnosed with tests and scans of the brain. If a stroke is suspected, medical treatment should be sought immediately. Experts recommend the appropriate treatment to begin within three hours of the first sign of a stroke for the best possible outcome. Strokes are treated with medications that break apart clots if the stroke is caused by a blood clot or by surgery to repair a ruptured blood vessel. Depending upon the severity of the stroke, long term therapy may be needed to regain control of the affected body side.

Cranberry Juice Benefits

A stroke is a medical emergency that can have severe long term consequences. The outlook for recovery depends upon what part of the brain is affected and how soon treatment is started. However, over half of all stroke sufferers are able to return home and function independently. Others may be left with permanent disabilities as a result of the brain damage incurred. Therefore, prevention is of importance by eliminating the stroke causes that can be controlled through healthy lifestyle choices.

Learn more on these conditions: