Stroke Assessment
| Introduction |
Why You Should Take This Assessment
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain stops. This cuts off the supply of oxygen to the cells in that part of the brain, and these cells begin to die. Stroke can also occur when there is bleeding inside of the brain, which can cause similar brain damage.
There are two main types of stroke:
- Stroke caused by a blockage in an artery supplying part of the brain. This is called an ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke.
- Stroke caused by bleeding within the brain. This is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
Damage to the brain can cause loss of speech, vision, or movement in an arm or a leg, depending on the part of the brain that is affected. Balance, swallowing, thinking, and many other important body functions can be impaired.
This stroke assessment is for adults age 20 and older. Anybody can have a stroke, but certain factors put you at higher risk. While you can't change some risk factors, there are many linked to lifestyle, which are under your control.
How Much Time This Assessment Will Take
5 minutes
How to Prepare for this Assessment
Before starting, you should gather the following information, if you have it:
- Family history of stroke
- Total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol
- Blood pressure numbers
However, you can still benefit from this assessment, even if you don't have this information.
What You'll Get At The End Of The Assessment
- An explanation of your important risks
- Recommended action steps for reducing your risks
- Links to additional reading
| Review Date: | 01/20/25 |
| Reviewed By: | Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. |
| References: | click to view. |
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