GET THE FACTS ABOUT STROKE What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

A little awareness can go a long way, especially when it comes to your health. Though not receiving as much attention as other serious diseases, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the primary cause of serious long-term disability for Americans. And it’s not just older adults who are at risk. In fact, about a third of strokes occur in people under age 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So, no matter your age, it’s never too early to learn what you can do to prevent a stroke.

Stroke 101

A stroke occurs when blood flow in the brain is interrupted, and brain cells die. There are two main types of strokes:

■ An ischemic stroke results when a brain artery becomes blocked by a blood clot.

■ A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that bursts.

Preventable Stroke Risk Factors

1. High blood pressure increases your risk of stroke by two to four times. “Blood pressure is the No. 1 risk factor for stroke,” stated Dr. John J. Volpi, a vascular neurologist and director of the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center at Houston Methodist Neurological Institute. “No organ in the body suffers more from high blood pressure than the brain.” Reducing your systolic blood pressure — the top number — cuts the risk of stroke in half.

2. High cholesterol is a personal risk for anyone who is at a higher risk of stroke or heart disease. More than four decades of science tell us that the lower the cholesterol, the better. According to Volpi, we now have many tools for reducing cholesterol for patients who have struggled with older treatments. “ The payoff is straightforward,” explained Volpi. “For every 30 points we lower the LDL, or bad cholesterol, the risk of heart disease and stroke goes down 10%.”

3. Lifestyle choices consist of being active and social, avoiding smoking of all types, eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting a good night’s sleep. Volpi said even modest exercise, like stretching two to five minutes a day or tending a garden, has shown to make a signifiant impact on risk. “I would recommend the Mediterranean diet for vascular health,” he added. “It includes good plant fats, such as olive oil and nuts, fresh vegetables, lean meats and low carbs.” Also, avoiding salty foods is important. •org/orthopedics or