Beware of Stroke. Let's Get to Know the Risk Factors

Stroke is a condition of dysfunction of the brain, spinal cord or retina that occurs when the blood supply is disrupted due to blockage or rupture of blood vessels. Stroke has been ranked as the second cause of death in the world since 2016 and the main cause of disability since 2013.

Stroke is a condition that needs immediate treatment, the loss of blood flow to the brain will cause brain cell ischemia, leading to brain tissue death within minutes to hours. Prompt and appropriate treatment can minimize the level of brain damage  thereby affecting the recovery rate and prognosis.

Broadly speaking, strokes are divided into 2 types, namely obstructive (ischemic) strokes and bleeding (hemorrhagic) strokes.

Ischemic stroke occurs when the blood vessels that carry nutrients and oxygen to the brain become blocked, causing brain cells to lack oxygen or what is called ischemia. This perfusion disorder is initially temporary and can be improved by immediately improving blood flow (reperfusion) thereby preventing death (infarction) of large areas of brain tissue, which means preventing disability and death. Based on the TOAST (Trial of ORG in acute stroke treatment) classification, ischemic stroke is divided into 5 categories, namely large artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, small artery obstruction, ischemic stroke with other known causes and stroke with unknown causes.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing blood flow to the part of the brain that should be supplied by the blood vessel to decrease and there is also a buildup of blood volume which can put pressure on brain tissue. Cerebral bleeding is generally triggered by uncontrolled hypertension that tears the walls of the blood vessels. Hemorrhagic strokes are divided into two types, namely intraparenchymal and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both have specific procedures.

Stroke risk factors are divided into non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors, including:

Non-modifiable factors

• Age - There was a 2-fold increase in patients over 55 years of age
• Gender - Men are at greater risk than women, after menopause the incidence of hypertension is more in women
• Family History (Genetic) - A family history of stroke increases the risk of stroke by 30%.

Factors that can be modified include:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus
• Overweight (Obesity)
• High cholesterol/dyslipidemia
• Smoke
• Heart disease/blood vessel disease elsewhere
• Lack of Physical Activity
• Alcohol Consumption
• Psychology and Stress
• Sleep apnea
• Hormonal contraception

Don't let health problems, especially stroke, disrupt your productivity. For Hermina friends who need further information about stroke, you can consult with a neurologist at Hermina Hospital Manado and if someone in your family experiences a stroke, immediately rush to the hospital by calling the SPGDT service at Hermina Hospital Manado. Hopefully this information can be useful