Be Stroke Aware: 6 Conditions to Monitor for Stroke Risk

Strokes are a leading cause of death in the U.S. In fact, 25 percent of all Americans are killed by a stroke every four minutes. Unlike a heart attack, strokes are a silent and sometimes undetected occurrence. They can cause disorientation, weakness, facial deformities, and speech impediments. Strokes can be caused by genetic and environmental factors, but they can occur without any warning symptoms. This is why it is so important to be stroke aware. Our Phoenix medical offices put together this guide to understanding strokes, what to do if you think a loved one is experiencing a stroke, and six conditions to monitor to reduce your own risk of having a stroke.

What Are Strokes?

There are two types of strokes: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic. Both of these can cause a dangerous chain of events within your body. Ischemic strokes occur when a blood clot blocks a brain vessel, potentially killing that portion of the brain due to a lack of blood and oxygen. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures in the heart or brain. Blood outside of the vessels in the brain can also kill that section of the brain.

How Can You tell if Someone is Having a Stroke?

The best test you can do if a person seems disoriented after tripping or collapsing suddenly is the FAST test. See the chart below to learn the vital steps to prevent brain damage.

Are There Tests to Check for Stroke Risk?

At Phoenix Family Medical, we have monitoring tests that we can perform to evaluate your genetic and environmental predisposition to strokes. It’s important to note that stroke awareness and prevention applies to both males and females. It is a condition that occurs most for adults beyond the age of 55. If you do have heart conditions or a predisposition to strokes in your family, we can begin monitoring as soon as age 18. Here are some the tests we can run to help you prevent blood clots and heart damage:

ECG/EKG: This test is done with electrodes applied to your chest that monitor your heart rhythms. The electrodes can also be applied to your wrists, shoulders and ankles. This helps us track both your heart rhythms and the blood flow in vital areas throughout your body. It’s a painless test, though patients may experience discomfort from the tape used to apply to electrodes. All of our Phoenix walk-in clinics offer this test and issue immediate results for both doctor and patient review.

CPC & Other Blood Tests: It is common for patients with history of heart disease and stroke in their families to undergo routine blood tests. A single vial of blood can undergo several mini-tests to reveal complexities in the blood and bodily functions. This helps medical providers monitor blood counts, electrolytes, blood glucose, c-reactive proteins, creatinine levels, cholesterol lipids, and more. All of these can have a direct impact on heart and blood vessel conditions.

6 Conditions that Put You at Risk of a Stroke

At Phoenix Family Medical, our doctors want to educate you on your risk factors for potentially having a stroke. We will address your current health issues and how they relate to stroke potential. Common health conditions that increase likelihood for strokes include: