What is a stroke?
A stroke is brain damage caused
by a lack of blood flow to the brain
What causes a stroke?
Many strokes are caused by the same
kind of blood clot that causes a heart
attack, a process known as
atherothrombosis. The blood clot
forms in an artery that feeds the
brain with blood and oxygen,
thereby causing a stroke.1
Atherothrombosis: a blood clot in a vital artery
Stroke risk factors.
Just one risk factor can increase your risk of having a stroke. Having several risk factors increases your risk of stroke even more.
You are at risk for having a stroke if you: 9
have already had a heart attack or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure
smoke
are overweight
have an unhealthy diet
don’t exercise
are stressed
However, there are ways to reduce your risk of having a stroke. Your doctor can tell you how.
References: 1. Vorchheimer DA, Becker R. Platelets in atherothrombosis. Mayo Clin Proc 2006;81:59–68. 9. Heart and Stroke Foundation. Risk factors. Online at www.heartandstroke.ca. Last accessed November 2006.
