Stroke

The number three cause of death behind heart disease and cancer, strokes kill more than 150,000 people annually.

A stroke occurs when a portion of the brain is deprived of blood and the vital oxygen it carries. There are two very different ways that blood flow to the brain can be interrupted – an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke.

The warning signs of a stroke, or stroke symptoms, include numbness or paralysis on one side of the body, blurry vision, slurred speech, dizziness or a severe headache.

Strokes can be debilitating so, preventing them from ever occurring is critical. That can mean a change in lifestyle, like routine exercise and a healthy diet. Additionally, medications and other therapies can be used to help control risk factors, such as high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation.