Stroke not just a risk for elderly
Stroke is the word given to sudden permanent loss of brain tissue due to obstruction, or occasionally rupture, of one of the blood vessels supplying the brain. Medically this is known as a cerebrovascular accident.
In most Western societies stroke is a devastating disease, being the third most common cause of death, after cancer and heart disease. One in 4 stroke victims dies within a month, and half are left with a disability.
The after-effects of a stroke depend on which part, and how much, of the brain is affected. If a lot of brain tissue is lost there may be paralysis of one side of the body with loss of function. Or, if the part of the brain that controls language is damaged, there may be a complete, or partial, loss of speech. Remarkable recoveries are sometimes seen. In a relatively small stroke, the surrounding healthy brain tissue sometimes ‘takes over’ the function of the damaged area.
Although strokes are more common in older people, age is no barrier. Five per cent of stroke victims are under 45 years of age and 40 per cent are under 65.
Many strokes could be prevented. About one in 3 of those affected will have had the warning sign known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or ‘mini-stroke’) in which there may be temporary loss or blurring of vision, difficulty in speaking, clumsiness, numbness, or pins and needles down one side. And many others will have had one of the risk factors for stroke and either not known about it, or not done anything about it.
The major risk factors for stroke are:
- high blood pressure;
- high cholesterol;
- smoking;
- diabetes; and
- obesity and lack of exercise.
If you are at risk of stroke (or don't know if you are) see your doctor. Some simple tests will tell if there are potential problems and may well change the future for you.
Last Reviewed: 26 April 2001
