Strokes are one of the scariest things that someone can suffer from as a health emergency. A stroke can happen at any age and to anyone if the conditions are right. When a blood vessel gets blocked in the brain and prevents brain tissues from receiving the oxygen they need, the result is a stroke. Paralysis, motor functioning, memory, and other functions can all be affected because the lack of blood destroys the brain tissues. Early treatment can reduce these symptoms, which is why it is so important to know these interesting facts about strokes.
1. Strokes kill more people than you might think.
Statistics from the CDC show that someone in the United States will die from a stroke once every 4 minutes. That means in the time it takes to read this article about strokes, someone is going to die from it. The good news is that even though about 800,000 people every year have a stroke, only about 130,000 people die from it. That means there’s a 7 in 8 chance that someone who has a stroke will go on to survive.
2. Being an African-American increases your risk.
There is a direct correlation to the color of one’s skin to the chances of them having a first stroke. People who are of African-American descent have almost double the risks of having as stroke then their European Caucasian counterparts. The same is true when it comes to the fatality rates that are associated with any stroke. Hispanics have higher stroke risks than Caucasians, but less than that of African-Americans. Native Americans or First Nations people have higher risk rates than Hispanics, but lower than African-Americans.
3. It really isn’t something that occurs just in the elderly population.
Although the latest data on strokes as it relates to age demographics is from 2009, it clearly shows that people don’t need to be a senior citizen to be at risk of having a stroke. 1 out of every 3 strokes occurred in someone who had yet to reach the age of 65.
4. Where you live might actually contribute to your chances of a stroke.
People from the Southeast United States have the highest rates of stroke risk in the entire country. In a band that stretches from the panhandle of Texas and goes straight across to the ocean, the rates are remarkably higher than other regions. The data also shows that higher rates of stroke tend to be seen in communities that are primarily retirement communities, which would be an expected trend since 2 out of every 3 strokes happens to someone above the age of 65.
5. There are a lot of risk factors that can contribute to a stroke.
About half of all Americans have at least one of the 3 risk factors that are directly associated with a stroke. High cholesterol, smoking on a regular basis, and high blood pressure are all associated with an increased risk of stroke. Lifestyle choices that contribute to these factors, when combined with other potential medical conditions, can heighten the risk even more. Not all risk factors for a stroke can be managed or controlled, but many of them are. Losing weight if needed, eating healthier, or speaking to a doctor about medications to reduce cholesterol could all help lower the risks.
6. Most people don’t know the signs and symptoms of a stroke.
Most people are able to recognize that the sudden numbness of the body on one side of it is a medical emergency and could be an indication that a stroke has occurred. Only 1 in 3 people, however, knows that there are other signs and symptoms that usually occur with a stroke as well. Sudden weakness, the inability to speak suddenly, trouble seeing out of one or both eyes, a severe headache, or trouble walking can all be indicators that a stroke has occurred as well. If any of these signs are seen without a known cause, then contacting emergency services will be a top priority.
7. Some strokes are small, barely noticeable events.
Sometimes a stroke is what is called a TIA. That stands for transient ischemic attack. Although the stroke symptoms tend to go away in just a few minutes when this type of stroke occurs, it is very common for a TIA stroke to be a precursor for a full fledged stroke in a day or two. Seeking out help when TIA symptoms occur can literally help to save a life. They should never be ignored, no matter how old the person may be who has noticed stroke symptoms.
8. It’s an opposite effect…usually.
For a vast majority of people, a stroke that occurs on one side of the brain will cause damage to the opposite side of the body. Right side brain damage, for example, normally causes left side physical symptoms. Some people, however, control their bodies with the same side of their brain, or their left brain controls their left side. This is why having a brain scan as soon as possible after the symptoms of a stroke are noticed is critical to the treatment process. It allows doctors to locate the problem, come up with a solution, and begin a rehabilitation program immediately.
9. A stroke can bring a lifetime of symptoms.
Many people can recover from a stroke and it seems like they never had the health issue in the first place. In half of people, however, there are long-term effects that will always be felt, even with a full rehabilitation plan in place. The faster someone receives treatment, however, then the more likely a complete recovery can be had. Getting to a doctor within an hour of the event is critical to the survival process.
A stroke can be a scary event, but it doesn’t have to be a deadly event. By knowing these interesting facts about strokes, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to recognize symptoms and act quickly.