Effects of Stroke (Cva)

There are many risk factors associated with stroke. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that he or she will have a stroke. Some of these you have no control of, such as increasing age, family health history, race and gender. But you can change or treat most other risk factors to lower your risk. The chance of having a stroke more than doubles every decade after the age of 55. The chance is greater in people who have a family history of stroke. African Americans have a much higher risk of disability and death from a stroke than whites, in part because blacks have a greater incidence of high blood pressure, a major stroke risk factor. Overall, the incidence of stroke is about equal for men and women. However, at all ages, more women than men die of stroke. In recent years, studies have shown cigarette smoking to be a key risk factor for stroke. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damage the cardiovascular system in many ways. The use of oral contraceptives combined with cigarette smoking greatly increases stroke risk. People with heart disease have more than twice the risk of stroke as those whose hearts work normally. Other risk factors can include the following: extremely hot or cold temperatures, their socioeconomic state (there is some evidence that people of lower income and educational levels have a higher risk for stroke), and excessive alcohol intake. The best way to prevent stroke is to reduce risk factors: improve diet, keep diabetes under control, quit smoking, and get enough exercise.
CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident), commonly known as a stroke, is a cardiovascular disease affecting the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that brings oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts (hemorrhagic) or is clogged by a blood clot or some other mass (ischemic). When a vessel bursts or is clogged it deprives the brain of blood and oxygen it needs. If the brain does not receive the