A stroke is caused by a stoppage of blood flow to a section of the brain. Brain cells are starved of the blood and oxygen they need to function. Within minutes, those brain cells begin to die, and the functions they control are lost. A stroke can happen anywhere in the brain. It can be large or small, and it can affect many different functions, from speech to movement to memory.

The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke, accounting for about 87% of all strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or other blood vessel, blocking blood flow to the brain. This type of stroke may be preceded by a TIA (transient ischemic attack or “mini-stroke”).

A subsequent stroke is one that occurs after you’ve already had a TIA or stroke:

• Within 2 days after a TIA, 5 percent of people will have a stroke.
• Within 3 months after a TIA, 10 to 15 percent of people will have a stroke.

There are many factors that can put you at a higher risk of having a subsequent stroke. Some of these risk factors—like age and race—you cannot control.

But the good news is there’s a lot you can do to help reduce your risk of a subsequent stroke by taking steps to control the risk factors you can change. Together with your doctor, you can identify your specific risks and develop a treatment plan that works for you.

Some of the risk factors of stroke you can’t control include:

Prior TIA (transient ischemic attack or “mini-stroke”) or stroke: Having a TIA or stroke due to a blood clot significantly increases your chance of having a subsequent stroke in the future. In fact, about one-third of people who have a TIA will have an acute stroke some time in the future. And 25% of people who survive a stroke will have another stroke within 5 years.

Age: Once you turn 55, your chance of having a stroke doubles each decade.

Race: African Americans are at increased risk of having a stroke—and are twice as likely to die from stroke as Caucasians.

Heredity: Having a family history of stroke increases your risk of having a stroke or TIA.

Some risk factors you can help manage include:

High blood pressure: High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke.

High blood cholesterol: Too much cholesterol can lead to a buildup of plaque in the walls of your arteries, reducing normal blood flow to the brain, possibly resulting in a stroke.

Smoking: Smoking can double your chances of having a stroke.

Diabetes: Diabetes increases the risk of stroke.

Heart disease: Conditions such as coronary heart disease or heart failure raise the risk of a stroke.

Obesity: Excess weight increases your risk of stroke as well as other conditions that also increase your stroke risk—such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Inactivity: Living a sedentary lifestyle can lead to conditions that increase your risk of stroke, including high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease.

Poor diet: Diets high in calories, saturated and trans fats, sodium, and cholesterol—and low in fruits and vegetables—can increase your risk of stroke.

Excessive drinking: Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of stroke and other health problems. If you do consume alcohol, it is recommended that you drink no more than 2 drinks per day for men and no more than 1 drink per day for non-pregnant women.

The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke, accounting for about 87% of all strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or other blood vessel, blocking blood flow to the brain.

Signs and symptoms can include:

• Numbness
• Weakness of the face and arm
• Sudden confusion
• Trouble speaking
• Impaired vision
• Dizziness

With a TIA (transient ischemic attack or “mini-stroke”), the blockage is temporary. Symptoms may last for only a few minutes and then disappear without leaving any permanent damage.

When someone is having a stroke, blood supply to the brain is more significantly blocked than in a TIA, and for a longer period of time, which can lead to more serious or permanent damage.

Use the symptom map to help identify many of the possible symptoms of a TIA or stroke.

Remember—a stroke or TIA is an emergency. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or a medical emergency number immediately.

More than two-thirds of stroke patients have some type of long-term disability. A stroke can cause a range of damage—depending on the part of the brain affected. A patient may experience some of the following common effects of stroke:

• Weakness or paralysis of one side of the body
• Vision problems
• Emotional problems such as depression due to a disability
• Cognitive difficulties (trouble with thinking, understanding, learning or remembering)
• Difficulty with speech