What Causes a Stroke?

Recognize the Types of Stroke and the Severity of each Type

What causes a stroke? What are stroke symptoms? A common cause of stroke is a blood clot blocking an artery and interrupting blood flow to the brain. This results in brain cells dying and brain damage occurring. There are different effects, and types, of strokes. Minimizing the risk of, or preventing, a stroke is possible.

A stroke is also called a 'brain attack' because the effect of the stroke occurs in the brain.

During a stroke, brain cells are starved of blood and oxygen and die; this is called an ischemic stroke.

A hemorrhagic stroke is the result of an aneurysm or high blood pressure.

Strokes need to be taken seriously; if you suspect that you have had a stroke or a mini-stroke, visit your doctor (or emergency ward at your local hospital) immediately.

If you feel incapacitated by the stroke, have someone call for an ambulance.

What Causes a Stroke? Types of Stroke

Ischemic stroke:
Blood clots block the arteries or blood vessels and cut off blood flow to the brain. There are two types of Ischemic stroke: embolic (a clot travels through your body and blocks an artery, causing a stroke) and thrombotic (blood clot forms as a result of blockage on the artery - your body reacts to the artery block (could be fatty deposits or cholesterol) by forming clots) strokes.

Hemorrhagic strokes:
These types of stroke are caused by the break of a blood vessel in the brain. The break or hemorrhage can be cause by high blood pressure or cerebral aneurysms (a weakness on a blood vessel wall). There are two types of Hemorrhagic stroke - subarchnoid and intracerebral.

What Causes a Stroke? - Stroke Symptoms

Understanding what causes a stroke is important in the prevention and/or treatment of strokes. Stroke symptoms may include: an individual may feel a sudden numbness on one side of the body; have sudden trouble speaking or understanding; be confused; have sudden trouble seeing; have a sudden loss of balance or be dizzy; and/or suffer from a severe headache.

These symptoms are characterized by the suddenness of the event. If you, or someone you are with, are exhibiting some or all of these conditions, call 911 and get medical help. Write down the time - the doctor and hospital will want to know when the stroke occurred. Time is of the essence during a stroke; the sooner it is identified and medically handled, the better the outcome.

What Causes a Stroke? - Preventing a Stroke

According to the American National Stroke Association, 80% of all strokes are preventable! Their recommendations for preventing a stroke focus on natural remedies and recognizable health guidelines:

Do not smoke (quit if you’re a smoker).

If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation.

Take a low-dose aspirin daily; and be sure to tell your doctor that you are taking it.

Get regular medical check-ups and ensure that your doctor assesses you for:

Your heart. Is it healthy?
Atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heartbeat that allows blood to collect in the heart chambers. A blood thinner may be prescribed for you (aspirin is a blood thinner but you may need a stronger prescription blood thinner to stop clotting).

Your cholesterol levels:
Manage your cholesterol on a proactive basis (even if your cholesterol levels are good; keep them there). Know what your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels are and manage your diet appropriately. Your total cholesterol level needs to be under 200.

Your blood pressure levels:
Manage your blood pressure to what is normal for you (the average is 120/80).

Diabetes (particularly for Type 2 diabetes in later years). Diabetics need to control their blood sugar levels with diet and medication. If well controlled, preventing a stroke is possible.

Blood circulation:
Healthy circulation of blood through your body is important to preventing a stroke. Ask your doctor to check your circulation. Atherosclerosis, which is a build up of cholesterol plaque and fatty deposits in arteries, can slow down your circulation and develop into blockages.

What You Can Do - Prevention

In other words, eat a healthy, balanced diet. Drink lots of water. Get regular, daily exercise (increase walking by about 30 minutes a day; at minimum - if you don’t want to go to the gym). The key to preventing a stroke is to manage what causes a stroke.

Trying to quit smoking? Then try the natural way. Native remedies has a free quit smoking program along with this great natural pill, Rx-Hale Tablets. Stop taking pills and using patches and try a healthier way to quit smoking.

Additional Reading

Healthy Heart Menu

Lower Blood Pressure

Stroke Symptoms