Who Is More Likely to Have a Stroke?
Stroke can happen to anyone, but some factors increase the risk.
These include:
- high blood pressure
- atrial fibrillation
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- smoking
- cardiovascular disease
- previous stroke or TIA
- increasing age
- physical inactivity
Managing these
risk factors can reduce the likelihood of stroke.
A TIA Is a Warning, Not a False Alarm
Because TIA symptoms disappear, people sometimes assume there is no longer any danger.
That is not true.
A TIA can indicate that blood flow to the brain was temporarily interrupted. Medical evaluation can help identify the cause and reduce the risk of a future stroke.
Even symptoms that last only a few minutes should be reported urgently.
When to Call Emergency Services
Seek emergency medical help immediately for any sudden appearance of:
- facial drooping
- weakness or numbness on one side
- trouble speaking
- confusion
- vision loss
- severe imbalance
- unexplained severe headache
Do not wait for several symptoms to appear. One sudden neurological symptom can be enough to justify emergency evaluation.
