Stroke
Strokes are the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability among Americans. Though someone in the United States has a stroke every 45 seconds, great strides have been made in preventing and treating them. In this Web guide you’ll find information about strokes from the Web’s most respected consumer health Web sites and stroke foundations.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat Is a Stroke?
A stroke is also called a “brain attack” because like a heart attack, it results from a ... read more »
Stroke Symptoms and Diagnosis
A stroke hits without warning, and can cause confusion for the person experiencing it. There are a ... read more »
Treating and Preventing Strokes
Once a stroke has been diagnosed, doctors have a number of medications that can help restore blood flow to the brain. These “clot-busting” drugs often need to be given within a few hours of a stroke’s onset to have the best chance of success. That’s why every site in this guide emphasizes the importance of immediately calling 911.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Some risk factors are a matter of lifestyle: smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol are examples. Other factors, such as age and family history of stroke, are beyond a person’s control.
Dulcinea's Picks
For treatment …
Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
has a page that describes the different treatments, emergency and long term, available for strokes. Learn how in an emergency, doctors use a type of drug called “clot-busters” to get the blood flowing throughout the brain and prevent further damage. Depending on the type of stroke and damage sustained, surgery could be required.
For prevention …
The National Stroke Association
describes how to reduce risk through lifestyle changes and medical management. See the “Risk Factors” box on the upper right-hand side of the page for links to more in-depth discussions of controllable, uncontrollable, and secondary risk factors. Also check out the “Stroke Risk Scorecard,” to get an idea of where you stand. Remember, having a low risk of stroke isn’t a guarantee you won’t have one.
Healthology.com
, part of the iVillage network, has a five-minute video on factors that increase a person’s risk of stroke, including age, smoking, and chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Watch the video to see a doctor and nurse from Long Island Jewish Medical Center as they describe the steps you can take to reduce the risk.
For clinical trials …
ClinicalTrials.gov
is a clearinghouse operated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and has a list of research clinical trials currently underway to test experimental treatments for stroke. To learn more about clinical trials, speak to your doctor, and read the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guide.
Stroke News and Research
New information about discovering, treating, and preventing strokes is being published all the ... read more »
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