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Under the advice of a doctor, exercise is a very healthy activity that can have tremendous health benefits. Exercise has been found to be beneficial for decreasing the risk of a second stroke in first-time ischemic stroke survivors – unless the level of exercise varies significantly from day to day. A study in Scientific Reports found that post-stroke patients who did not exercise at all had the highest risk of a second stroke, and those…

Taking care of a stroke survivor can be exhausting. The loved one caring for a stroke patient has more stress than the caregiver of most other injuries or illnesses. This is because the stroke patient often experiences cognitive issues, at least in the beginning. Not only does this make communication difficult, but it can cause extra frustration, anger, or depression for the patient who is struggling to be understood, as well as for the loved one…

While it has long been recognized that social environment can have a powerful impact on cardiovascular health and stroke risk, recent attention has been turned to physical and biochemical environment, as well.  Social determinants for health The social determinants for health (SDOH) are those non-medical, social factors that impact health, quality of life, and risk factors for various health conditions. These factors are impacted by economic policies, social norms, and political systems. The top social…

Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S. In order to limit and possibly even prevent long-term damage, healthcare professionals must be highly trained, must act quickly, and must coordinate across disciplines in order to provide a full range of care immediately after the stroke and for the hours, days, weeks, and months that follow.  First line of defense The first line of defense is a…

Migraine is the most common neurological disorder in the United States, affecting 10-15% of adults. Stroke is the #1 cause of long-term disability and the #3 cause of death in the U.S. Though stroke and migraine have different root causes, a migraine can sometimes mimic a stroke. Migraine sufferers, who are used to pain, may not recognize stroke symptoms, so it’s important to know the difference in order to seek medical attention; and when in…

The risk of stroke shows great disparity across race in the United States. The discrepancy is not necessarily entirely genetic, as many people have a broad genetic diversity in their background. For this reason, defining race can be a challenge, since the U.S. census allows people to specify their own race and ethnicity. In 2000, there were 126 racial and ethnic categories reported.  However, keeping in mind these limitations, studies are still performed using broader…

All strokes are not alike in symptoms or intensity. While we tend to connect stroke to the most common symptoms of slurring words, drooping face, and weakness on one side of the body, some stroke patients experience more subtle symptoms, and some experience no symptoms at all. This last type of stroke is called a “silent stroke.”  Silent stroke vs. mini-stroke A “mini-stroke” is the common name for a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA…

Of course, no one wants to have a stroke, so it seems odd to suggest you should “prepare” for one. But if you have multiple risk factors or you have had a stroke before, including a TIA (also known as a “mini-stroke”), you need to take precautions in order to get medical attention as soon as possible, in the event of a stroke.  Signs of a stroke Your first and most important step is to…

While strokes and seizures are very different medical events, some of their symptoms overlap, and at first it is not clear which is occurring. But since time is critical when someone is having a stroke, and since seizures can also be very serious medical events, it is best to call 911 as soon as possible when you suspect either a stroke or a seizure. Causes of stroke and seizure A seizure is caused by a…

One of the most distressing results of a stroke is the inability to communicate properly. Because different aspects of speech and comprehension are in different parts of the brain, the location that is damaged from the stroke will determine the effect on communication and its severity. Some stroke patients show no such problems, but many patients do experience issues with speech and comprehension to some degree. Fortunately, many therapies have been developed to help stroke…

Because stroke is caused by a stoppage of blood flow to part of the brain, either by a blood clot or a bleeding blood vessel, symptoms usually do begin suddenly. But every stroke is different. Depending on the type of stroke, the parts of the brain affected, and the severity of the blockage or bleed, it is possible to have early warning signs that come on slowly.  Stroke acronym update Most people have heard the…

Stroke is the #1 cause of disability in America, and the longer it takes to get medical help, the worse the damage the stroke causes. Know the signs of a stroke and seek medical intervention immediately to decrease the risk of long-term disability.  What happens in the first minutes of a stroke Ischemic strokes, which make up 80% of all strokes, are caused by a blood clot in an artery. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by…

Quality sleep is critical for recovery after a stroke because the brain does much of its repair work during sleep. Disrupted sleep and insomnia are associated with overall slower and less effective recovery. So doing all you can to get a good night’s sleep is imperative to your healing process. But is there such a thing as too much sleep post-stroke?  Post-stroke fatigue is a condition that 40-70% of all stroke patients experience. The range…

Every 40 seconds a stroke occurs in the United States. Many people believe that men have more strokes than women, but in point of fact, women have more strokes than men, primarily because women live longer. Mortality statistics by age, race, and gender Age-specific stroke incidence and mortality rates are higher in men than women, except in the oldest age category. Between the years of 1999 and 2004, stroke mortality rates were as follows: The…

The prognosis after a stroke greatly depends on the type of stroke, area of the brain, age and health of the stroke patient, and how long it took before the stroke was diagnosed and treated. “Time is brain” is a common saying among neurologists and healthcare professionals because every second counts. A stroke blocks oxygen to the brain, and within four minutes without oxygen, brain cells begin to die. It is estimated that a million…

Mental health has a powerful effect on one’s health, and can actually decrease your risk of stroke. Adults struggling with severe anxiety and depression have a 30% increased risk of heart attack and a 44% increased risk of stroke. Post-stroke depression also increases the mortality rate of stroke victims. This is true even for younger post-stroke patients and those with fewer chronic conditions than those without depression.  Clearly, staying mentally healthy both before and after…

A healthy lifestyle can impact ALL areas of your life. When you talk to your doctor about reducing your risk of stroke, he/she will be on board with you reducing your risk. Studies have found that over 80% of stroke risk factors are under our control, which means making some lifestyle changes should decrease your risk. But what changes will reduce your risk the most?  Major stroke risk indicators The lifestyle changes that will have…

How can you prevent a stroke? Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of long-term disability. Each year, about 800,000 Americans experience a stroke and 160,000 die of stroke-related causes.  If you have had a stroke, you have a 25-35% chance of a second stroke within 4-5 years and a 40-45% chance after 5 years. If you’ve had a TIA (often called a mini-stroke), your…

The kind of rehab and therapy you’ll need post-stroke depends on the severity of the stroke and its effects. You and your caregiver should talk to your healthcare team to discuss the types of physical and cognitive challenges you face and create a detailed plan to address each one. Your plan should also include steps to decrease the risk of another stroke.  Types of rehabilitation facilities Your medical team should advise you on the best…

When a stroke damages the communication and language areas of the brain, the stroke patient may experience aphasia, which is a disorder that affects the ability to speak, read, write, or understand. Aphasia may affect people in many different ways and to varying degrees, depending on the part of the brain affected and the degree of damage. Types of aphasia A person with receptive aphasia (Wernicke’s aphasia) may say non-words (like “gleeble”) or string together…

Many risk factors for stroke are within our control, and that’s good news. A worldwide study identified 10 factors that accounted for 88% of the risk of strokes for all ages, which suggests that stroke is to a large degree preventable. These factors include hypertension (high blood pressure), smoking, obesity, diet, physical activity, diabetes, alcohol, stress and depression, cardiac issues, and elevated cholesterol. If any of these factors are present in your life, talk to…

It’s natural after having a stroke to be discouraged by new limitations, but don’t give into those feelings. Many medical and therapeutic advancements continue to help improve the outcome after a stroke. With the right support and a positive attitude, you can successfully return to an excellent quality of life.  Physical and mental effects of a stroke Everyone is different, and everyone’s road to recovery is different, but there are some common physical changes that…

Caring for a loved one who has experienced a stroke takes a great deal of patience and organization in order to keep your loved one healthy. But you need to take care of your own health, too. You will have much to do, and you owe it to yourself and your loved one to stay well.  As the American Stroke Association points out, a caregiver may be responsible for a wide variety of responsibilities, including:…

Cardiovascular disease refers to diseases of the heart and blood vessels, which include strokes, heart attacks, and other heart issues. Only about 20% of cardiovascular disease is caused by genetics; the remaining 80% is behavioral or environmental. That’s good news because it means you have some control over your risk of stroke or heart attack. While lifestyle choices are a major factor in strokes and heart attacks – food choices, sedentary lifestyle, smoking – there…

Once a stroke has begun, it is too late to make sure your hospital has the best facilities to help you. So do your research now to find the best hospitals in the area for stroke care, and inform your close family and your doctor so they know where you want to go if you were to experience a stroke. If you are older and/or have high-risk factors for stroke, knowing your medical care options…