Four out of five stroke victims have no apparent symptoms or warning signs. There are several different factors that come into play when determining risk: older age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, known cardiovascular disease, smoking, among others. As one ages, it is crucial to perform health screenings. The HealthFair Stroke and Carotid Artery Disease FAQ section provides basic answers to questions about the benefits of health screening to prevent stroke. Stroke is the number one cause of long-term disability in adults. Learn about the health risk factors for strokes and carotid artery disease and ways to prevent stroke.
Q. What can I do to reduce my health risk and enhance stroke prevention?
A. Some stroke risk factors are controlled by:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Do not smoke
- Limit alcohol intake
- Control high blood pressure
- Control high cholesterol
- Control diabetes
Q.Are women more at risk for stroke than men?
A. Stroke has a disproportionate effect on women. Women account for approximately 50% of the strokes that occur each year, yet they account for 61% of stroke deaths. The explanation may be that stroke risk increases with age and women generally live longer than men. In addition, women on average may be older than men at the time of a stroke.
Q. If I have an abnormal health testing result for the stroke screening and carotid artery screening, does this mean I will need surgery? A. Not necessarily. An abnormality means that a problem exists; therefore, you should follow up with your physician in order to conduct further diagnostic testing. Often times, lifestyle changes and medical management are effective at slowing the progression of blockage and preventing stroke. However, if the disease is advanced enough, your physician may refer you to a vascular surgeon.
Q. What is hardening of the arteries?
A. Hardening of the arteries, also known as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a condition in which the large and medium-sized arteries supplying blood to the legs become narrow or clogged, constricting the blood flow. Hardening of the arteries is caused by atherosclerosis, which is a gradual process of cholesterol and scar tissue build up that forms plaque, which causes the artery to clog.
The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) health screening detects the presence of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). Individuals with a high ABI are three to five times at greater risk for heart attacks.
Q. If I have blood clots in my legs can I still have an ABI health screening done?
A. HealthFair does not recommend doing a screening if you currently have blood clots.