Know Your Stroke Risk: 5 Vital Health Checks

Stroke risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol imbalances, often develop silently. Identifying these underlying issues early is key to prevention. Regular blood pressure checks are vital, as hypertension affects a significant majority of stroke patients and damages blood vessels over time. Lipid profile tests assess cholesterol levels, crucial for detecting plaque buildup that can narrow arteries supplying the brain. Blood sugar testing is also essential for managing diabetes, a condition that accelerates atherosclerosis and raises stroke risk.

Further assessment includes carotid ultrasounds to detect stenosis in the arteries feeding the brain, potentially leading to medication or procedural interventions. An electrocardiogram (ECG) helps identify irregular heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, which can cause blood clots that may lead to a stroke. Individuals with risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, or a family history of stroke, especially those over 40, should consider these screenings. Recognizing warning signs such as sudden weakness, speech difficulty, vision problems, severe headache, or loss of balance requires immediate medical attention, as these could indicate an active stroke.