Stroke greatest death cause

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or severely reduced, which means that the brain tissue does not receive oxygen and nutrients. In a matter of minutes, the brain cells begin to die.

A stroke is a medical emergency. It is essential that an immediate treatment be carried out. Early action can minimize brain damage and the possibility of complications
symptom
Observe these signs and symptoms if you think you or someone else may be suffering from a stroke. Keep in mind when signs or symptoms begin, since their duration may affect treatment decisions:

Problems to talk and understand. You can have confusion. You can drag words or have difficulty understanding speech.
Paralysis or numbness of the face, arms or legs. You may have sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body. Try to raise your arms above your head at the same time. If an arm starts to fall, you may be suffering from a stroke. Also, one side of the mouth may fall off when you try to smile.
Difficulty seeing with one or both eyes. It is possible that suddenly you have blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes, or that you see double.
Headache. An intense and sudden headache, which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness or an altered state of consciousness, may indicate that you are suffering from a stroke.
Problems to walk. You may trip or have sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination.
Causes
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. This deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause the death of brain cells.

A stroke can be caused by a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or by loss of blood or rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may only have a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain (transient ischemic attack).
Prevention
Learn about the risk factors for strokes, follow the doctor's recommendations and adopt a healthy lifestyle are the best measures you can take to prevent them. If you have had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack, these measures can help you avoid having another stroke. The follow-up medical care you receive at the hospital and subsequently can also play a role.

Many stroke prevention strategies are the same as those for preventing heart disease. In general, the recommendations for a healthy lifestyle are the following:

Control high blood pressure (hypertension). One of the most important things you can do to reduce the risk of stroke is to keep blood pressure under control. If you have had a stroke, lowering blood pressure can help you prevent a transient ischemic attack or a subsequent stroke.

Exercising, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting the amount of sodium and alcohol you consume are all ways to keep high blood pressure under control. In addition to recommending changes in lifestyle, the doctor may prescribe medications to treat high blood pressure.

Reduce the amount of cholesterol and saturated fats in your diet. Consuming less cholesterol and fats (especially saturated fats and trans fats) can reduce fatty deposits (plaques) in the arteries. If you can not control your cholesterol only through changes in diet, your doctor can prescribe a medication to lower cholesterol.
Stop smoking tobacco. Smoking increases the risk of stroke for smokers and passive smokers. Quitting tobacco reduces the risk of stroke.
Control diabetes You can control diabetes with diet, exercise, weight control and medications.
Keep a healthy weight. Being overweight adds to other risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Losing at least 10 pounds (4.5 kilos) of weight can reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.
Carry a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. A diet with five or more servings of fruits or vegetables daily can reduce the risk of stroke. It may be useful to follow the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes olive oil, fruits, nuts, vegetables and whole grains.
Exercise on a regular basis Aerobic or cardiovascular exercises reduce the risk of stroke in many ways. Exercise can lower blood pressure, increase the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and improve the overall health of blood vessels and the heart. It also helps to lose weight, control diabetes and reduce stress. Gradually do up to 30 minutes of activity (such as walking, jogging, swimming, or biking) most days of the week (if you can not all).
Drinking alcohol in moderation, or not doing so. Alcohol can be both a risk factor and a protective measure for strokes. Excessive consumption of alcohol increases the risk of having high blood pressure, ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. However, drinking a small to moderate amount of alcohol, such as one drink per day, can help prevent ischemic strokes and decrease the tendency for blood to clot. Alcohol can also interact with other medications you take. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
Treat obstructive sleep apnea, if you have it. The doctor may recommend a nocturnal oxygen evaluation to check if you have obstructive sleep apnea. If the presence of obstructive sleep apnea is detected, it can be treated by administering oxygen at night or by using a small device in the mouth.
Avoid illegal drugs. Some drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamines, are established risk factors for a transient ischemic attack or stroke. Cocaine reduces blood flow and can cause narrowing of blood