The most prominent cause of stroke is high blood pressure or hypertension. A reading of 140/90 or higher is considered the beginning risk point. Hypertension can cause severe damage to major organs including the heart, eyes and kidneys. Furthermore, it can also create weakened areas in the blood vessels which then result in a hemorrhagic stroke.
An Ischemic stroke is a condition in which blood vessels have narrowed or become completely blocked. This is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries or a blood clot that eventually blocks the artery therefore cutting off blood flow to the brain. These blood clots can form and travel from other areas of the body or form inside the artery itself.
An embolism or blood clot that breaks apart from other areas of the body is another risk factor for stroke. Atrial fibrillation is a result of blood clots forming in the atria which causes consistent fluttering or contracting, resulting in blood clots.
Arterial blood clots are commonly found on plaque deposits. Small cracks formed in the plaque allow cells to build up, thus forming blood clots. As these clots grow and increase in size, blockage of blood flow through the artery occurs. The result of this blockage is that the cells on the other side of the clot become deprived of much needed oxygen and nutrients from the blood resulting in cell death and ischemia. This process than leads to a stroke. It is exactly the same mechanism that causes heart attacks, except it involves the heart.
Different types of stroke:
- Hemorrhagic: Bleeding into the brain caused by a ruptured blood vessel. - Ischemic: Caused by narrowed or occluded arteries due to plaque deposits.
Causes:
- High Blood Pressure - Diabetes - Atrial Fibrillation - Heart Disease
Risk factors for stroke include:
- Age - Ethnicity - High Blood Pressure - Heart Disease - Diabetes - Family Health History - High Serum Cholesterol Levels - Prior Stroke
Fractures are another risk factor for stroke, thus making the elderly extremely vulnerable. Tissue from a broken bone can travel through the blood stream resulting in a fat embolism. This embolism can then travel into the lungs creating respiratory failure. It can also travel to the brain resulting in a stroke or to the heart in which case a heart attack will occur.
Reducing risk factors and prevention work in unison to avoid what can be a life altering disability.
Preventative Methods:
- Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels - Manage blood sugar - Manage blood pressure levels
A healthy diet: Vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains such as breads, cereals, nuts and pastas combined with lean meats such as fish and poultry are a great beginning. Another great step is to reduce the consumption of red meat to one per month. Providing a diet that is low in fat and high in fiber is an excellent way to prevent this illness from occurring as well as lower your risk factors.
An Ischemic stroke is a condition in which blood vessels have narrowed or become completely blocked. This is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries or a blood clot that eventually blocks the artery therefore cutting off blood flow to the brain. These blood clots can form and travel from other areas of the body or form inside the artery itself.
An embolism or blood clot that breaks apart from other areas of the body is another risk factor for stroke. Atrial fibrillation is a result of blood clots forming in the atria which causes consistent fluttering or contracting, resulting in blood clots.
Arterial blood clots are commonly found on plaque deposits. Small cracks formed in the plaque allow cells to build up, thus forming blood clots. As these clots grow and increase in size, blockage of blood flow through the artery occurs. The result of this blockage is that the cells on the other side of the clot become deprived of much needed oxygen and nutrients from the blood resulting in cell death and ischemia. This process than leads to a stroke. It is exactly the same mechanism that causes heart attacks, except it involves the heart.
Different types of stroke:
- Hemorrhagic: Bleeding into the brain caused by a ruptured blood vessel. - Ischemic: Caused by narrowed or occluded arteries due to plaque deposits.
Causes:
- High Blood Pressure - Diabetes - Atrial Fibrillation - Heart Disease
Risk factors for stroke include:
- Age - Ethnicity - High Blood Pressure - Heart Disease - Diabetes - Family Health History - High Serum Cholesterol Levels - Prior Stroke
Fractures are another risk factor for stroke, thus making the elderly extremely vulnerable. Tissue from a broken bone can travel through the blood stream resulting in a fat embolism. This embolism can then travel into the lungs creating respiratory failure. It can also travel to the brain resulting in a stroke or to the heart in which case a heart attack will occur.
Reducing risk factors and prevention work in unison to avoid what can be a life altering disability.
Preventative Methods:
- Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels - Manage blood sugar - Manage blood pressure levels
A healthy diet: Vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains such as breads, cereals, nuts and pastas combined with lean meats such as fish and poultry are a great beginning. Another great step is to reduce the consumption of red meat to one per month. Providing a diet that is low in fat and high in fiber is an excellent way to prevent this illness from occurring as well as lower your risk factors.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a Licensed Registered Nurse who loves to write and share her knowledge about Stroke Causes with others. She also provides more information about Stroke Cure on Clivir.com.
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