Are You At Risk?
Cardiovascular disease and stroke are two of the most common causes of death and disability in Ireland today. These diseases often have no symptoms until it’s too late. By identifying your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke before a life-threatening event occurs you will be able to take steps to lower your chances of disease and improve the quality of your life.
Below is a list of risk factors that raise your odds for developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. Count the number of risk factors that apply to you; the more risk factors you have, the greater your disease risk in the future.
Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease, Stroke, Circulation Problems):
Age Over 40
Your risk of cardiovascular disease increases with age. Early screening is appropriate from the age of 40.
Family History
A first degree relative has a stroke or heart attack before the age of 65.
Current Smoker
Smokers have 2 to 3 times the risk of having a heart attack than non-smokers.
High Cholesterol Level
The higher one’s cholesterol level, the greater one’s chances of having a heart attack. The aim is to have total cholesterol level below 5.0 and LDL level below 3.0.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk of heart attack and stroke. The aim is to have a blood pressure below 130/90 or less. Intervention is usually recommended for pressures above 140/90.
Obesity
Obesity is a recognized risk factor for heart attacks and stroke. One of the most relevant measurements is the waist circumference, which should be below 100 cm in men and 88 cm in women, no matter what their height. Body Mass Index is also a useful measurement, and should be below 25.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Control of diabetes is an important element in heart disease and stroke prevention.
Prior History of a Cardiovascular Event
If you had a previous cardiovascular event, you are at increased risk of another.
Stroke and Risk Factors:
A stroke is an event that occurs when there is a lack of blood supply to a part of the brain. Almost 90% of strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that deprives the brain of circulation (ischemic stroke). This can be due to a locally developed clot (thrombotic stroke), or a clot that develops somewhere else in the body, such as in the heart or in the carotid arteries, and travels to the brain (cerebral embolus). Lack of blood supply to an area of the brain means that that part of the brain ceases to function, and nerve cells will die. The symptoms arising from that will vary depending on what part of the brain is affected. They can vary from being quite mild to being catastrophic and even fatal. Risk factors for stroke are listed below.
Age Over 60
Your risk of stroke increases with age. Early screening is appropriate from the age of 60.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors
All the Cardiovascular Risk Factors mentioned above also increase your odds for a stroke. Below are risk factors specific to having a stroke only.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a risk factor for stroke. It is an abnormal and irregular rhythm of the heart, which often has no symptoms (some people experience palpitations). Atrial fibrillation becomes increasingly frequent with advancing age. It can be identified by a simple examination with a rhythm monitor, or by an ECG. Atrial fibrillation can predispose someone to clot buildup in the heart, which can subsequently travel to the brain causing strokes.
Carotid Artery Disease
Build up of “plaque” in the carotid arteries (in the neck) increases the chances for stroke. This plaque can block the circulation to the brain or a clot can break off and become lodged in the brain, causing a stroke.
Alcohol Intake
Alcohol intake above 2 units per day for men, and 1 unit for women is associated with an increase risk of stroke. Binge drinking is also associated with an increase risk of stroke.
TIAs
Transient ischemic attacks, often called mini-strokes, are risk factors for stroke. These are varied neurological events, such as sudden weakness, or sensory loss (e.g vision, or feeling). By definition, a TIA lasts less than 24 hours, followed by full recovery. If full recovery is not achieved within that time, the event is classified as a stroke.