Risk factors for Stroke
- Over age 55
- Male
- African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander
- A family history of stroke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking cigarettes
- Diabetes
- Obesity and overweight
- Cardiovascular disease
- A previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- High levels of homocysteine (an amino acid in blood)
- Birth control use or other hormone therapy
- Cocaine use
- Heavy use of alcohol - researchers from the University of Lille Nord de France, Lille, France, reported in the journal Neurology that heavy regular drinkers have a considerably higher risk of stroke early in life compared to others.
- Men from divorced families have a higher chance of suffering a stroke than those from families which are still intact
Causes of Stroke
Thrombotic stroke
Thrombotic stroke is caused by a clot (thrombosis) leaving the brain with a short supply of blood and oxygen. This is the most typical root cause of stroke. It results in the brain cells dying and the loss of function in some parts of the body. A cholesterol plaque in the brain burst and results in the narrowing of the blood vessels. People with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetic and smokers are at a risk of Thrombotic stroke.
Embolic stroke
Blood clot or a piece of atherosclerotic plaque (cholesterol and calcium deposits on the wall of the inside of the heart or artery) from the heart chamber can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the brain. It can clog and stop blood flow, preventing the cells in the brain from receiving oxygen and glucose ,thus causing a stroke.
Cerebral hemorrhage
A rupture of a blood vessel in the brain causing loss of blood in some cells, while creating swelling of brain tissue (due to the accumulation of blood) in some other areas of the brain. The excess of blood expands pressure, within the skull resulting in the brain being pushed against the bony skull.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
It takes place when blood that originates from a rupture of a blood vessel, is gathered together in the space beneath the arachnoid membrane that lines the brain. It can have major consequences if left untreated such a coma or brain death. Symptoms include sudden, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, light intolerance, and a stiff neck.
Vasculitis
A condition when the inflammation of the blood vessels causes a reduction of blood supply to the brain. It is a uncommon type of stroke.
Migraine headache
Migraine headaches resemble a stroke, as it includes restricting the blood vessels in the brain. One could encounter symptoms such as complications with vision or speech. People with migraine headaches seem to have a slightly higher incidence of stroke.
http://www.medicinenet.com/stroke/page2.htm#what_causes_a_stroke
Thrombotic stroke is caused by a clot (thrombosis) leaving the brain with a short supply of blood and oxygen. This is the most typical root cause of stroke. It results in the brain cells dying and the loss of function in some parts of the body. A cholesterol plaque in the brain burst and results in the narrowing of the blood vessels. People with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetic and smokers are at a risk of Thrombotic stroke.
Embolic stroke
Blood clot or a piece of atherosclerotic plaque (cholesterol and calcium deposits on the wall of the inside of the heart or artery) from the heart chamber can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the brain. It can clog and stop blood flow, preventing the cells in the brain from receiving oxygen and glucose ,thus causing a stroke.
Cerebral hemorrhage
A rupture of a blood vessel in the brain causing loss of blood in some cells, while creating swelling of brain tissue (due to the accumulation of blood) in some other areas of the brain. The excess of blood expands pressure, within the skull resulting in the brain being pushed against the bony skull.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
It takes place when blood that originates from a rupture of a blood vessel, is gathered together in the space beneath the arachnoid membrane that lines the brain. It can have major consequences if left untreated such a coma or brain death. Symptoms include sudden, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, light intolerance, and a stiff neck.
Vasculitis
A condition when the inflammation of the blood vessels causes a reduction of blood supply to the brain. It is a uncommon type of stroke.
Migraine headache
Migraine headaches resemble a stroke, as it includes restricting the blood vessels in the brain. One could encounter symptoms such as complications with vision or speech. People with migraine headaches seem to have a slightly higher incidence of stroke.
http://www.medicinenet.com/stroke/page2.htm#what_causes_a_stroke