Are you at risk of a stroke?

Who are at risk of getting a stroke? A stroke is what happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted. The result is oxygen deprivation to brain tissue, which can have devastating consequences. The ability to recover from a stroke depends on the severity of the stroke and how quickly you get medical attention. The risk factors for a stroke include a family history of stroke, as well as:

Sex - Strokes are more common in men than in women in most age groups except older adults, yet stroke is more deadly in women than in men. This may be because women usually live longer than men and strokes are most common in older adults.

Race - People in the following groups have a higher risk of stroke than Caucasians, yet risk disparities among these people in these groups decreases with age: Native Americans / Hispanics / Asians / African-Americans

Lifestyle factors - The following lifestyle factors all increase your risk of stroke: smoking, diet, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse & drug abuse.

Age - Adults over age 65 are at the greatest risk of stroke, especially if they : have high blood pressure / have diabetes / are sedentary / are overweight / smoke

If your neurologist suspects you’re having a stroke, they’ll perform tests to help them make a diagnosis. They can also use certain tests to determine the type of stroke.

First, your doctor will perform a physical exam, testing your mental alertness, coordination, and balance. They’ll look for:

numbness or weakness in your face, arms, and legs
signs of confusion
difficulty speaking
difficulty seeing normally

If you’ve had a stroke, your neurologist may also perform tests to confirm the type of stroke you’ve had and to make sure they’re giving you the right kind of treatment. Some common tests include: