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Stroke can occur without warning in anyone, including children. The following are the primary risk factors for stroke.
- Alcohol and other substance abuse, e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine
- Atherosclerosis or other cardiovascular diseases.
- Chronically high cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Genetics/heredity
- Hypertension
- Long-term use of some medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), including ibuprofen and naproxen
- Obesity
- Poor diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking cigarettes
- Stress and depression
- Age and sex – the risk of stroke increases with age. In people under the age of 60, men are more likely than women to suffer stroke but women are more likely to die as a result
- Race/ethnicity – in North America, African- and Native Americans are more likely to have strokes than other ethnic groups
Sudden difficulty in seeing clearly, such as blurred or double vision, inability to focus your eye(s), or other changes in sight (in one or both eyes) can signal a stroke.
3. Difficulty Breathing or Swallowing
Women can experience different symptoms of a stroke than men. Having difficulty breathing or swallowing are two of these. These other signs of stroke are more common in women: fainting, irritation, hallucination, nausea or vomiting, sudden pain, seizures, hiccups.
4. Tremors
Delayed onset hand tremors are a relatively uncommon but confirmed symptom of cerebral infarction—obstruction of blood supply to the brain. (7)
5. Loss of Balance
Sudden dizziness, lack of coordination, or loss of balance are common stroke symptoms and should be taken seriously. 6. Difficult to Walk
Sudden numbness or tingling anywhere in the body (“pins and needles”) or instability and trouble with normal walking can be signs of a stroke. (9)
