May 13, 2004

May is Stroke Awareness Month
Are you at risk for stroke?

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and Community Hospital of Los Gatos and the National Stroke Association (NSA) encourage everyone to take charge of their health.

Stroke prevention education is a key element in reducing the number of strokes in this country. Every year, more than 750,000 Americans experience a stroke, and one-third of them are under the age of 65. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of adult disability. Yet, up to 80 percent of all strokes may be preventable, with proper attention to medical and lifestyle risk factors.

A stroke, or “brain attack,” occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blood clot or a broken blood vessel. This lack of oxygen kills brain cells in the immediate area, often causing physical and emotional disabilities including speech problems, memory loss and paralysis.

Risk factors for stroke are conditions—possibly genetic, medical or lifestyle choices—that may make a person more likely to suffer a stroke. Uncontrollable risk factors include increasing age, heredity, having diabetes and having a family history of stroke. People falling into any of these categories tend to have a higher risk for stroke.
Controllable stroke risk factors include medical disorders that may be treated with medication or surgery. These conditions include high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol and atrial fibrillation—an irregular heartbeat that allows blood to pool in the heart and can lead to blood clots.

Lifestyle choices that can increase a person’s risk for stroke are smoking, drinking too much alcohol and being overweight. Individuals with any of these risk factors should work with a health care provider to make medical or lifestyle changes to prevent having a stroke.

National Stroke Association is an independent, national nonprofit organization devoting 100 percent of its efforts and resources to stroke. For more information on stroke and stroke prevention, call 1-800-STROKES or visit www.stroke.org. To learn more about Community Hospital of Los Gatos visit www.communityhospitallg.com.