Diseases of the heart and stroke can sometimes go hand in hand. Both are the main causes of death in the United States but in many cases, both conditions are preventable.
Many of the same healthy habits that reduce the risk of heart problems may also reduce your risk of stroke. Learn more about the link between heart health and brain health, your risk factors, and what you can do to keep your risk low.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a serious, potentially life-threatening medical emergency. At a stroke, the blood flow is blocked to part of your brain, which means that your brain cells can not get the oxygen they need. When this happens, your brain cells can be damaged or even die. There are two main types of stroke, including:
- ischemic , when an artery that supplies blood to the brain is blocked, usually by a clot or plaque blood
- hemorrhagic when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or bursts
stroke symptoms
Some symptoms stroke can include:
- sudden weakness
- Numbness on one side of the face, arm or leg
- speech disorder
- loss of vision, double vision or difficulty seeing with one eye
- Dizziness, loss of balance or difficulty walking
- Sudden, sore severe head
If you think you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911 immediately. It is very important to get treatment as soon as possible.
How are the heart health and brain health Linked?
heart and brain health are linked by common risk factors, including:
- Having high cholesterol
- Having high blood pressure
- smoking
- having diabetes
- not having regular physical activity
- Being overweight or obese
and, you may have a higher risk of stroke if you have:
- atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can make your blood vessels narrow or completely blocked by a hard substance called plaque.
- atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of irregular heartbeat. With AFib, your heart can not fight as effectively as it should, which can make it easier for the blood to pool and clot.
- Heart failure, which happens when your heart can not pump enough blood to meet your needs of the organization.
How to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke
If you are not sure where to start, talk with your doctor. Have a checkup so you can learn the basic facts about your health, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels in the blood. Your doctor will ask about your medical history, your family history and habits whether you are at risk.
There's a lot you can do to help keep your heart, blood vessels and brain healthy, including:
- a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean and low-fat protein or fat-free dairy products
- limiting the amount of salt, fat and sugar you eat
- Get regular physical activity
- to stop smoking or using tobacco products
- Find healthy ways to cope with stress
- Keep an eye on your cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood of
for more information, visit the heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC or call 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484) [1945008pressionartérielleet].
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