Q: What are the major risk factors for stroke?
A: The major risk factors for stroke are smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and being overweight and physically inactive. Additional factors include having had a prior stroke, carotid artery disease, heart disease, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and high red blood cell count. Excessive alcohol intake, certain kinds of drug abuse, season, climate and socioeconomic factors can also contribute to stroke. African-Americans have a much greater risk of disability and death from stroke than Caucasians because of the greater incidence of high blood pressure. Studies have also shown that individuals with elevated levels of Lp-PLA₂ are at a higher risk than those with lower levels.

Q: Who is at risk for stroke?
A: Stroke risks are higher in people who have a family or personal history of stroke and for African-Americans. African-American women have a higher risk of disability and death from stroke than Caucasian women do. This is partly because more African-American women have high blood pressure, a major stroke risk factor. Age is also a factor: the chance of having a stroke more than doubles for each decade of life after age 55. Women who smoke or who have high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes are at greater risk of having a stroke. Hormonal changes with pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are also linked to an increased risk of stroke.

Q: How can I lower my lifestyle-related stroke risk?
A: You can affect some of the risk factors for stroke. Some of the things you can do include: quit smoking, eat a balanced diet, check blood pressure regularly, be physically active, and maintain an appropriate weight.

Q: What happens during a stroke?
A: Brain tissue needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to keep nerve cells and other parts of the tissue alive and functioning. A stroke occurs when one of these blood vessels becomes damaged or blocked, preventing blood from reaching a part of the brain. When the tissue is cut off from its supply of oxygen for more than three to four minutes, it begins to die.

Q: What can I do if I suspect someone is having a stroke?
A: If you think someone is having a stroke, call 911 right away. While you are waiting for an emergency vehicle to arrive, have the person with the stroke symptoms lie down. Watch the person suspected of having a stroke and lift the chin to open the airway. Check for breathing and pulse. If necessary, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If the person is breathing but unconscious, roll him or her onto his or her side. Do not move the person if you suspect a head, neck or back injury. If the person is conscious, try to reassure and comfort him or her. Loosen constricting clothing or jewelry. If the person is having difficulty swallowing, try to turn him or her onto the side. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.

Q: What are the effects of stroke?
A: A person who has a stroke may suffer little or no brain damage and disability, especially if the stroke is treated promptly. But stroke can lead to severe brain damage and disability, or even death. Stroke may cause paralysis or weakness of one side of the body, memory problems, mood changes, trouble speaking or understanding speech, problems with eating and swallowing, pain, depression, and other problems. Rehabilitation and medical treatment can help a person recover from the effects of stroke and prevent another stroke from occurring.

Q: Why does a stroke affect different parts of the body?
A: Nerve cells in the brain tissue communicate with other cells to control such functions as memory, speech, and movement. When a stroke happens, nerve cells in the brain tissue become injured. As a result, they cannot communicate with other cells, and functions are impaired. The location of the injury determines which functions are impaired. If a stroke occurs on the right side of the brain, the left side of the body is affected, and vice versa.

Q: How is stroke treated?
A: Ischemic stroke, which involves a blockage of blood flow to a portion of the brain, can be treated in some patients during the first three hours of an attack, using thrombolytic drugs such as Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA), which destroys harmful blood clots. In addition, FDA-approved clinical trials are currently underway for neuroprotective drugs that have shown the ability to reduce the number of brain cells destroyed in a stroke. The PLAC® test is the only FDA-cleared blood test that aids in the determination of ischemic stroke risk before a stroke occurs.

Q: Can the PLAC test help me determine if I am at risk for stroke?
A: The PLAC test is the only FDA-cleared blood test that aids in determining the risk for ischemic stroke associated with atherosclerosis. The PLAC test detects a protein, Lp-PLA₂, which contributes directly to this inflammatory process and can provide you and your physician with more information about your risk for ischemic stroke. Once you have your complete stroke risk profile, your physician can work with you to determine the best treatment options for lowering any possible risk.

Q: Where can I get a PLAC test?
A: The PLAC test is a simple blood test that can be performed in your physician's office or laboratory patient service center. Ask your doctor if the PLAC test is appropriate for you.

Q: Where can I find more information about stroke?
A: You'll find a number of useful web resources in the links section of this website.

(Source: American Stroke Association)

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