Home > Conditions / Ailments > Stroke / Cerebral Thrombosis > Description of Stroke and Cerebral Thrombosis Statistics for Strokes and Thrombosis The Potential Effects of a Stroke Risk Factors for a Stroke Treatments and Life Style Changes Available Supplements and Books for Strokes ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Back to Top ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Description of Strike and Cerebral Thrombosis A stroke is the loss or change in bodily function that is caused from an insufficient supply of blood to a part of the brain. The function of the human brain is dependent on blood that must flow through its blood vessels. When blood flow is obstructed to any part of the brain, that part of the brain loses its energy supply and becomes injured. If the blood is obstructed for to long of a period, the injury to the brain cells may become permanent causing the affected tissue to die. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Back to Top ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Statistics for Strokes and Thrombosis According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States after diseases of the heart and all forms of cancer. About 600,000 Americans have strokes each year. Someone has a stroke every 53 seconds. Someone dies of a stroke every 3.3 minutes. Stroke victims account for more than half of all patients hospitalized for neurological disease that strikes quickly. About 4.5 million stroke survivors are alive today. (2.2 million are male; 2.3 million are female.) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Back to Top ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Potential Effects of a Stroke Various parts of the brain control various body functions. When a stroke occurs proper blood flow is restricted from a region of the brain that controls a particular body function. Subsequently, that part of the body does not work as it should. The effects of a stroke depend primarily on the location of the obstruction and the extent of brain tissue affected. If the stroke occurs toward the back of the brain, for instance, its likely that some disability involving vision will result. The effects of a stroke depend on a number of factors including the location of the obstruction (thrombus/blood clot) and how much brain tissue is affected. However, because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke affecting one side will result in neurological complications on the opposite side of the body it affects. The effects on bodily function may include any or all of the following: Sudden change in behavioral style Memory loss Speech/language problems Vision problems Paralysis ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Back to Top ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Risk Factors In the scientific statement Primary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke published in the January issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association and the combined January 2/9 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. the Panel of Doctors noted the following: Hypertension (high blood pressure) increases the risk of stroke up to four-fold. Proper treatment can diminish that risk by 38 percent. Cigarette smoking nearly doubles stroke risk, but quitting can slash the risk in half within one year and decrease it to a level similar to non-smokers after five years, according to the statement. Among other risk factors cited for stroke: Atrial fibrillation, a disorder in which the upper heart chambers improperly contract, potentially leading to blood clots that can travel to the brain and cause stroke. This increases the stroke risk approximately three- to five-fold in those age 65 or older or with additional risk factors. Treating the condition can cut the risk of stroke by as much as 68 percent. Clogged neck arteries, which double the risk. Surgery to unblock it (endarterectomy) performed by a highly skilled surgeon can halve the risk. Sickle cell disease in children, which magnifies the stroke risk 200 to 400-times compared to children without it. Blood transfusions for high-risk children can slash risk 91 percent. High cholesterol levels, which increase the risk in men 1.8 to 2.6-fold. Medication can ease risk 20 percent to 30 percent in those who also have coronary heart disease. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Back to Top ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Treatments and Life Style Changes The panel made these lifestyle suggestions for limiting stroke risk: avoid illicit drug use; weight reductions in overweight persons; a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity daily; a healthy diet with five servings of fruits and vegetables daily; avoid secondhand tobacco smoke; and limit alcoholic drinks to no more two per day for men and one per day for women. tight control of diabetes avoid prescribing oral contraceptives for women with risk factors such as smoking and consider folic acid and B vitamins for patients with elevated homocysteine, pending results of ongoing studies. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Back to Top ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Available Supplements and Books for Strokes and Cerebral Thrombisis Listed Below.