She had previously been diagnosed with and is successfully being treated for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but otherwise is a very healthy active woman. With the support of her family, it was time for her to make medical and lifestyle decisions to hopefully prevent an impending stroke.

Every year 750,000 Americans have a stroke, or “brain attack,” making strokes the third leading cause of death in America and the No. 1 cause of adult disability. Despite these statistics, 80 percent of strokes are preventable. If a stroke is suspected, you can increase your chances of avoiding a stroke or successfully reducing any long term disabilities from one  with proper lifestyle changes and immediate action.

A stroke occurs when an artery or blood vessel that brings oxygen and nutrients to the brain breaks or is clogged by a blood clot or mass. Once a rupture or blockage occurs, brain cells begin to die and brain damage begins. When brain cells die during a stroke, the part of the body they control ceases to work as well. These disabilities include speech, movement and memory.

The effects of a stroke depend on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much of the brain is damaged. Some people recover completely from strokes but more than 2/3 of survivors are left with some type of disability.

There are two main types of stroke, an ischemic stroke, caused by a blockage and a hemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding. Ischemic strokes account for 88 percent of all strokes and are often the result of blood clots formed in arteries damaged by fatty build ups, called atherosclerosis. These strokes often occur at night or first thing in the morning. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel on the brain’s surface ruptures. These strokes can be caused by a head injury or a burst aneurysm. Bleeding strokes have a much higher fatality rate than strokes caused by clots.

The symptoms of a stroke are similar regardless of the type of stroke. These symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and a sudden severe headache with no known cause. It is essential that if you or someone you are with is experiencing one or more of these symptoms to call 911 immediately. It is also important to document the time of symptom onset. If medical services are given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot dissolving drug can be given to possibly reduce long-term disability. It is always important to take immediate action.

There are several stroke risk factors to consider and actions that can be taken to help prevent a stroke. Factors such as age, heredity and sex must be considered when determining your risk of a stroke. The chances of having a stroke doubles for each decade of life after age 55. Your risk of stroke is also greater if a family member has had a stroke or you have had a prior stroke or “brain attack.” In most age groups, more men than women will have a stroke; however, more than half of total stroke deaths occur in women. Despite the fact that you cannot change your age, gender, or heredity, there are several lifestyle changes that can be made to decrease your chances of having a stroke. High blood pressure is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to life-threatening medical problems such as stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. High blood pressure is the most common cause of stroke because it puts unnecessary stress on blood vessel walls, causing them to thicken and deteriorate, leading to an increase in blockage or breakage. High blood pressure can be controlled through diet, exercise, medication, or a combination of all three. In recent years, studies have shown that cigarette smoking is an important risk factor for stroke due to the damage caused by nicotine and carbon monoxide on the cardiovascular system. Quitting smoking is an important step to take for those who have an increased risk of stroke. Carotid artery disease also greatly increases ones risk for an ischemic stroke due to the narrowing of the artery by fatty deposits from plaque build up on its walls. This narrowing increases the chances of a clot blocking necessary blood flow to the brain. Cholesterol reducing drugs may help reduce the size of plaque particles but a carotid endarterectomy may be required to surgically remove harmful plaque.

In addition to reducing your number of stroke risk factors, one should consider eating healthy, exercising regularly, taking prescribed medications as directed, scheduling regular medical check ups and blood pressure and cholesterol screenings and reducing stress levels. All of these steps may help to reduce your risk of having a stroke and increase your chances of recovery. When faced with the difficult decision of which medical treatment is right for you, as my Nana is facing, educating yourself on what you can do is essential. Remaining hopeful and active in your treatment is the key to living a long healthy life. For more information on stroke prevention, symptoms and treatment visit the National Stroke Association Web site at www.stroke.org or the American Heart Association Web site at www.americanheart.org.