How dangerous is stroke? Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in Canada and ranks third as the leading cause of death in the U.S.. Can you survive a stroke? One out of every four stroke victims will live to survive a stroke. Sadly, two-thirds of stroke victims will have some degree of permanent disability. However, strokes are preventable. The key is knowing the risks and learning to manage them. Am I at high risk of a stroke? The non-controllable factors that increase your risk of experiencing stroke are: having a family history of stroke, especially if the relative experienced a stroke before the age of 65 years sex. Males generally experience stroke earlier in life than women. Women, however, are equally at risk as they grow older (generally over 55 years of age). being over 55 years of age, although 30% of strokes occur in younger people being of certain ethnic origins (e.g. people of Aboriginal, Black, or Chinese descent) What are the controllable risks? smoking/exposure to second hand smoke high blood pressure/high blood cholesterol history of a TIA - a "mini stroke" or "warning stroke" diabetes an existing heart condition excessive alcohol intake (more than two drinks per day) What are the warning signs of a stroke? Sudden weakness, numbness, and/or tingling of the face, arm or leg Temporary difficulty speaking, loss of speech or trouble understanding speech Sudden loss of vision, particularly in one eye or double vision Sudden, severe, unusual headaches or change in the pattern of headaches Dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls, especially when combined with any of the above Should men be more concerned than women about having a stroke? The risk that stroke poses to women's health is often underestimated. Heart disease and stroke account for 40% of all female deaths in Canada alone. What is a Transient Ischemic Attack? A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a "mini-stroke" which is considered a warning that you are at risk of having a major stroke. In fact, 10 to 15 percent of strokes occur after a TIA. A TIA can hit suddenly, without warning and you will feel the same symptoms as a stroke. Anyone who has one should report it to a doctor as soon as possible so appropriate preventive treatment can be started. A person who has had a TIA is at highest risk for having a stroke during the next 6 to 12 months. What is the difference between a stroke and a mini stroke (TIA)? The main difference is in the length of time the symptoms last. Symptoms of a TIA last less than 24 hours and go away completely. TIAs should be treated as a medical emergency. Doing so can mean the difference between a severe disability, mild disability or none at all. What should I do if I feel I'm at risk of a stroke? Know the symptoms of TIA and stroke and speak to your doctor if you feel you are at risk. If you have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or diabetes, learn to manage these conditions. You may need to change your lifestyle to lower your risk. To ward off some causes of TIAs and stroke, your doctor may prescribe blood thinning medications, and will monitor your progress. Surgical or medical procedures are also available to treat other causes, such as clogged arteries. What if I think I'm having a TIA? Quick action saves lives. Call 911 or emergency services in your area and get yourself to a hospital. If I have a family history of stroke, but am otherwise healthy. Should I be concerned? People with a family history of stroke are at risk and should not wait for the first symptom of stroke to appear before discussing this risk with their health care provider. If you have other factors that increase your risk of experiencing stroke, you may want to consult a specialist. What should I do to help a victim of stroke? Call an ambulance. Keep patient calm and be reassuring. Keep the patient's airway open Monitor the patient's pulse and breathing. What NOT To Do: Do NOT leave the patient alone. Do NOT give the patient anything to eat or drink. Where can I get more information about stroke? E-mail Bayer Return to Stroke | Home | Arthritis | Heart Disease | Healthy Lifestyle | | Bayer Product Info | About Bayer Inc. | E-mail Bayer | | Return to HealthyWay |