Smoking doubles the risk for stroke when compared to a nonsmoker. It reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, causing the heart to work harder and allowing blood clots to form more easily. Smoking also increases the amount of ‘build-up’ in the arteries, which may block the flow of blood to the brain, causing a stroke. The good news is that smoking-induced strokes and overall stroke risk can greatly reduced by quitting smoking.
Anyone can have a stroke no matter your age, race or gender. But, the chances of having a stroke increase if a person has certain risk factors, or criteria that can cause a stroke. The good news is that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented, and the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from stroke is to understand personal risk and how to manage it. Quitting smoking, is one of the things you can do to prevent a stroke from happening!
What is a stroke?
There are two types of a stroke: the Ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke. A Ischemic stroke occurs when an artery in the head is blocked. Blood flow to a part or parts of the brain is stopped causing brain tissue to die. At a hemorrhage stroke a blood vessel in the head tears or ruptures. Blood then leaks or is spilled into or around the brain itself. Hemorrhagic stroke is usually considered more deadly.
The nature and severity of the impact depends on where the stroke occurred in the brains and the amount of tissue it damaged. The physical and psychological effects of a stroke are often heavy, for the person himself, but also for his or her significant others. A stroke can often cause one a paralysis of the left or the right part of the body. More than 70% of people experience mild or serious consequences in the field of thought, emotion, behavior and language. Examples are: slow thinking; difficulty concentrating; fast to laugh / cry; quick to anger; not understanding what is said; improper pronouncement of words.
Smoking and the Risk of Stroke
Smoking doubles your risk of stroke. Smoking damages the blood vessels and cause clot formation in the brains. In everyday life, blood clotting is healthy. A wound heals when blood clots slowly stop the bleeding. In the case of stroke, however, blood clots are dangerous. They can block arteries and cut off blood flow. If you smoke increases the risk of a new stroke considerably, so it is important that you stop. Passive smoking may also increase your risk of stroke, so you should avoid smoky bars and restaurants. Your doctor can give advice on programs and products that help you stop smoking.
Symptoms of a Stroke
Fast action can save your life or prevent a stroke. These events always take but a moment. They seem so innocent, but they are the harbingers of a stroke.
- Your leg, hand or arm suddenly feels very weak.
- You have no or ‘num’ feeling in one side of your body or face
- You can suddenly see with only one eye.
- You suddenly start to speak slower or inconsistent
- You suddenly do not understand what anyone says
- You suddenly feel dizzy and you almost fall to the ground
- You have the worst headache of your life.
If any of these symptoms occur, you should go to a hospital as soon as possible.
Effects of a Stroke
Stroke is the third cause of death in the Western world, after heart disease and cancer. Some patients die within the first years after the stroke. Approximately 10% of the patients have a second stroke during the first year.
Recent research shows that 70% of the patients suffer from cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems. About 4 in 10 patients experiences quite serious limitations in carrying out activities in daily life. Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability.
The effects are determined by the place in the brain where the stroke occurs. Every part of the brain is another ‘control centre’ for certain bodily functions, emotions and feelings. Besides physical effects such as paralysis, often less visible effects occur, such as: partial blindness, forgetfulness, speech disturbances, depression and behavioral changes.
