STROKE THE TOP KILLERS.... Key Information about Stroke

 Stroke is one of the top killers in the world. It is said that approximately 150,000 people lose their lives due to the same. There are a number of side effects that can take place due to stroke and that can vary from problems in speech and movements and in complex cases one can even lose his life.

There is no specific age at which one can suffer from stroke as anyone irrespective of his age can be affected from it. It shall also be noted that strokes are most commonly suffered by elderly.

Types of strokes

There are two main types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic, according to the stroke association.

Ischemic strokes account for 87% of all stroke cases. When a blood vessel becomes blocked by fatty deposits, blood has trouble passing through to the brain. An ischemic stroke is caused by this obstruction.

A thrombotic ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms at the blocked part of a vessel. An embolic ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms at another spot in the body and travels to a vessel in the brain that's too small to let it pass.

A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a weakened blood vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the brain, according to the association. You may have heard of an aneurysm; an aneurysm is a sort of bubble in a blood vessel that can grow until it bursts. That can cause a hemorrhagic stroke.

Risk factors

Your diet and exercise habits play a big role in your risk for having a stroke. Remember, fatty deposits in blood vessels cause the majority of stroke cases. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke, according to the American Stroke Association .

Smoking can also play a role: Nicotine and carbon dioxide cause damage to your blood vessels, weakening them and putting you at risk of a hemorrhagic stroke .

Genetics may be a risk factor as well. Your risk of having a stroke is higher if an immediate family member has had a stroke, according to the asociation.

"Some strokes may be symptoms of genetic disorders like CADASIL, which is caused by a gene mutation that leads to damage of blood vessel walls in the brain, blocking blood flow," the organization's website states.

Symptoms

Spotting the early signs of a stroke and getting help quickly can reduce any long-term effects, the association says. "The sooner a stroke victim gets to the hospital, the sooner they'll get treatment. And that can make a remarkable difference in their recovery," the ASA website states.

Experts were of the view that main aim of the stroke is to block the blood supply in the brain. This will automatically makes brain deprived of oxygen and other essential nutrients. When a person suffers a stroke, it gets important to provide him immediate medical support. This will help him not to suffer maximum loss like impairment.

Malformations and narrowing of the brain's small blood vessels appear to be at the root of many ischemic strokes, and at the root of some forms of dementia as well, said Dr. Lon Schneider of University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine.