Every 3.3 minutes, someone dies from a stroke. About half of all stroke survivors are left with significant and long-term physical and functional disability. Paralysis on one side of the body, loss of mobility, inability to speak or communicate, and even serious loss of mental capabilities (dementia) are not uncommon among stroke survivors.

Stroke occurs when a vessel that supplies blood to the brain breaks or becomes clogged and deprives brain tissue of oxygen, which is transported in the blood. Brain tissue that is affected can die within minutes, causing death or serious disability.

When a stroke occurs, time lost means brain cells lost. Medical intervention can rescue the oxygen-deprived brain cells, which begin to die within minutes to several hours after the stroke.

The good news is that there are some common sense changes we can make in our lives, healthy lifestyle changes and other things we've all heard about, that will help us significantly reduce the risk of stroke.

Know the warning signs!
I can't stress enough the need to get immediate assistance (call 9-1-1) when any one of these stroke symptoms occurs:

"Classic" warning signs of Stroke (Brain Attack)

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Source: American Heart Association www.americanheart.org or 800.242.8721

Expect the person to protest and deny that anything is "wrong." Don't take no for an answer - insist on taking prompt action. And let others help you if you experience any symptoms; they care about you and are doing the right thing by getting you immediate emergency assistance!

Stroke statistics 15.1 percent decrease in stroke death rate, from 1988 to 1998 Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death A stroke occurs every 53 seconds Death from stroke occurs every 3.3 minutes 47 percent of stroke deaths occur out of the hospital 61.4 percent of stroke deaths were female

How can I reduce the risk factors associated with stroke?
Fortunately, many of the risk factors for stroke are modifiable. By taking appropriate action on the "numbers to watch" (see sidebar), and consulting with your physician, you can dramatically reduce your risk. New medications and interventions can also minimize damage if they are administered early.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the single most modifiable risk factor. It increases stroke risk 4 to 6 times. Fortunately, the effectiveness of medical treatment for hypertension is well established. Avoiding or managing high blood pressure is the most important step you can take to avoid a stroke. Remember, high blood pressure is a silent disease, and about a third of the people with hypertension are unaware of it. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. If it is elevated, ask your doctor about strategies to bring your blood pressure under control.

Heart disease has been shown to increase the risk of stroke. Atrial fibrillation, an irregularity of the heartbeat, is the most powerful yet treatable cause of stroke. When the heart fibrillates, the atria, small upper chambers of the heart, quiver instead of beating effectively. This may cause the blood to pool and possibly clot as well as deprive heart cells of nourishment. Fortunately, medications are available to prevent blood clots that may lead to stroke.

Another form of heart disease is atherosclerosis. In this condition, fatty and calcified plaques attach to the arterial walls, causing arterial blood flow to the brain to slow or stop. Since high cholesterol increases the incidence of atherosclerosis, monitoring and controlling your cholesterol level will go a long way toward reducing your chances of having a stroke.

Diabetes is a precursor of stroke. For those with Type I diabetes, it's especially important that their weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure be controlled. Type II accounts for 90-95 percent of diabetic cases and is associated with obesity and physical inactivity. Type II diabetes may be controlled with diet and exercise.

Smoking increases the risk of stroke and is clearly related to atherosclerosis of the carotid artery. Blockage of this artery is the leading cause of stroke among Americans. And smoking increases the risk of stroke for women who take oral contraceptives. Talk to your doctor about treatments and programs available to help. Join a quit-smoking support group. By quitting, you will also reduce your risk for a host of other serious illnesses such as lung cancer and emphysema.

Obesity is associated with higher levels of blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for stroke. Eat a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Avoid foods that are high in salt, cholesterol, and fat. Eat moderately and eat less.

Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive stress are known to increase a person's susceptibility to stroke. Moderate and regular exercise, as little as 30 minutes 4 or 5 days a week, has significant benefits in cardiac conditioning and lowering cholesterol levels, as well as maintaining an ideal weight. Modify your alcohol intake. While one or two standard drinks per day may actually be protective against stroke, heavy drinking in both the young and old greatly increases the risk of stroke.

Regular medical check-ups can make a difference. Also take advantage of Customs and community-based health initiatives that screen for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and other risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

What risk factors cannot be controlled?
Our chances of stroke increase as we age; approximately two-thirds of stroke victims are over age 65. Our race may be a risk factor. Between the ages of 45 and 55, African-Americans are 4 to 5 times more likely to die from stroke. The differences decrease with advancing age. Our gender is another factor we should consider. The incidence of stroke is slightly greater for men; however, at all ages, more women than men die of stroke. Our personal history is a very important factor. Survivors of stroke are often more likely than others to have a repeat stroke. Those who have experienced mild, stroke-like symptoms that have been identified as a transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke) are also at greater risk. A family history of stroke may indicate a genetic predisposition.

What "numbers" should I watch? The ideal blood pressure is 120 systolic over 80 diastolic or lower, although readings between 130-140 systolic over 80-90 diastolic are considered in the normal range for adults. If your systolic pressure measures between 130-139 and/or your diastolic pressure is between 85-89, be sure to monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis. The normal range of total cholesterol for adults is 120-220mg/dl. A reading below 200mg/dl is desirable. Levels between 35-70 mg/dl for HDL, the "good" cholesterol, and 100-170mg/dl for LDL cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol, are also considered normal for adults. The National Institutes of Health recommend a LDL level below 130, with the ideal being 100 mg/dl or less. Healthy adults should keep their sodium intake to 2300 milligrams per day or less. This is the equivalent of about 1¼ teaspoons of salt. Read labels when shopping for prepared or packaged foods. Look for the words "sodium," "soda" (meaning sodium bicarbonate), and the symbol "Na" on labels. These contain sodium compounds.