Most of us don’t think about stroke until it affects someone we love, yet strokes are one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide.
A stroke is a medical emergency that happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke, caused by a blocked blood vessel, and hemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding in the brain.
Anyone can have a stroke, but certain factors increase your risk. Some risk factors cannot be changed, such as age, family history and certain medical conditions. However, many major risks are within your control. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. Other important risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol use and a diet high in processed foods…