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In the U.S., someone suffers a stroke every 53 seconds, nearly 600,000 each year. It is America's third leading cause of death.
 

There are two types of stroke – ischemic (iss-kee-mik) and hemorrhagic (heh-muh-ra-jik).

An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked, causing a loss of blood and oxygen to the affected part of the brain. Once the nerve cells can't work, that area of the brain dies and the part of the body it controls is unable to function.

There is also what is called a "mini stroke" or transient ischemic attack (TIA). This occurs when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked for a short time, causing less blood to reach the brain. Someone experiencing a TIA may have weakness on one side of the body, loss of vision, tingling and numbness, and/or problems talking and walking. It may last for a few minutes or several hours. Although many people are unaware they've experienced a TIA, it usually is a precursor to a major stroke.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and blood goes into the brain.
 

WARNING SIGNS OF A STROKE

A majority of stroke victims are unaware they are experiencing a stroke and don't seek emergency help until more than 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Seeking emergency help immediately is crucial, the longer the delay, the more damage a stroke can do and the less recovery can be achieved.

Call 911 immediately, even if these warning signs go away:

• sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding speech
• sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
• sudden severe headache with no known cause
• blurred or double vision, drowsiness, and nausea or vomiting

Lower blood pressure
Hypertension is the most important risk factor for a stroke and to reduce your chances of a stroke, it is essential to prevent or manage high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure 5 points can reduce the risk of a stroke by 42%.

Stop smoking
Smoking doubles your risk for stroke.

Drink alcohol in moderation
Studies show 2 drinks a day can lower your risk of stroke by half, more than this can increase your risk by three times.

Lower cholesterol
High cholesterol increases your risk of a stroke, low cholesterol reduces your risk.

Physical activity
Include physical activity in your daily routine, as little as 30 minutes a day may reduce your risk for stroke.

Low salt, low fat diet
By reducing sodium and fat in your diet, you may be able to lower your blood pressure and lower your risk for stroke.

Control diabetes, if diabetic
Diabetes puts you at an increased risk for stroke; by controlling your diabetes, you may lower your risk.

Find out if you have atrial fibrillation (AF)
AF is an irregular heart beat that allows blood to collect in the heart chambers which can be released in the form of blood clots into your blood stream, causing a stroke.

Circulation problems
Fatty deposits, caused by atherosclerosis or other diseases, can block the arteries which carry blood from your heart to your brain. If left untreated, can cause stroke.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the #1 cause of death in the U.S. and kills more than 700,000 people each year.
 

Chest discomfort
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breath
This feeling often comes along with chest discomfort. But it can occur before the chest discomfort.

Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Increasing age
About 85 percent of people who die of coronary heart disease are age 65 or older.

Male gender
Men have a greater risk of heart attack than women, and they have attacks earlier in life. Even after menopause, when women's death rate from heart disease increases, it's not as great as men's.

Heredity (including race)
A family history of coronary heart disease in parents, siblings or offspring is a major risk factor. African Americans have more severe high blood pressure than whites. Consequently, their risk of heart disease is greater.

Smoking
Smokers' risk of heart attack is 2-4 times more than that of nonsmokers. Studies show that chronic exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke, passive smoking) may increase the risk of heart disease.

High cholesterol
The risk of coronary heart disease and stroke rises as blood cholesterol levels increase. When other risk factors (such as high blood pressure and tobacco smoke) are present, this risk increases even more. A person's cholesterol level is also affected by age, gender, heredity and diet.

High blood pressure
High blood pressure increases the heart's workload, causing the heart to enlarge and weaken over time. It also increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times.

Physical inactivity
Lack of physical activity is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Obesity and overweight
People with excess body fat are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, as excess weight increases the strain on the heart.

Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Even when controlled, diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Seventy-five percent of diabetics die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease.

Stress
Some studies show a relationship between coronary heart disease risk and stress.

Lower cholesterol

Stop smoking

Lower blood pressure

Physical activity
Moderate to vigorous exercise 30 minutes a day plays a significant role in preventing heart and blood vessel disease

Recognize and treat diabetes

Maintain a healthy weight
Losing as little as 10-20 pounds can lower your heart disease risk

Eat healthy foods
Particularly those low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium

Limit alcohol consumption