What causes a stroke?

Stroke is the primary neurological problem in the United States and in the world. Stroke is the third ranking cause of death, with the overall mortality rate of 18% to 37% for the first stroke and as high as 62% for subsequent strokes. The stroke usually results from one of four events:

*Cerebral thrombosis (a blood clot within a blood vessel of the brain or neck),
*Cerebral embolism (a blood clot or other material carried to the brain from another part of the body),
*Cerebral ischemia (decrease of blood flow to an area of the brain), and
*Cerebral hemorrhage (rupture of a cerebral blood vessel with bleeding into the brain tissue or spaces surrounding the brain).

Cerebral thrombosis
Cerebral arteriosclerosis and slowing of the cerebral circulation are the major cause of cerebral thrombosis, which is the most common cause of stroke. Cerebral thrombosis does not develop abruptly, a transient loss of speech, hemiplegia, or paresthesias in one half of the body may precede the onset of severe paralysis by a few hours or days.

Cerebral embolism
Infective endocarditis, rheumatic heart disease, myocardial infarction and pulmonary infections are the sites where emboli originate. The emboli usually lodges in the middle cerebral artery or its branches, where it disrupts the cerebral circulation.

Cerebral ischemia
Cerebral ischemia is mainly due to artheromatous constriction of the arteries supplying the brain. The most common manifestation is a transient ischemic attack.

Cerebral hemorrhage
Hemorrhage may occur in the extradural space, subdural space, sub arachnoid space or intracerebrally causing hematomas. The bleeding is usually arterial and occurs particularly around basal ganglia. The onset is abrupt, with severe headache. When the hematoma enlarges, neurological deficit occurs in the form of decreased alertness and abnormalities in the vital signs. In pronounced cases, unconsciousness or coma results.

The other risk factors are:

*Hypertension - the major risk factor. Controlling hypertension is the key to prevent stroke.
*Cardiovascular diseases - most cerebral embolism originates in the heart.
*High cholesterol.
*Obesity.
*Elevated hematocrit - increases the risk of cerebral infarction.
*Diabetes.
*Oral contraceptives.
*Smoking.
*Drug abuse (cocaine).
*Alcohol consumption.

Stroke is life changing. Being aware of the symptoms and doing all that you can to avoid those which threaten the life with stroke can make a difference. If in doubt, do contact your doctor and certainly if there is a history of stroke in the family, it would be a good idea to be vigilant and to have regular check-ups to protect yourself from the possibility of stroke, and to follow the professional advice given by your doctor.

Foods good for your heart

Heart diseases are mainly caused by cholesterol or fat content in our body. Cholesterol level in blood is one of the important determinant of heart disease. Cholesterol or fat blocks the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart which leads to increased work load leading to heart disease. Cholesterol is accumulated in our body from the food we take. Let's now see about a few foods that lower the risk of heart disease.

Almonds: Almonds have good cholesterol and they give you satiety. Hence almonds can be used in salads and desserts instead of other nuts and cheese. Almonds can be soaked over night and made in to a paste with little water and can be eaten with milk. Though they are rich in calories, taking a handful will not increase your weight or cholesterol levels. They are proved to reduce the LDL cholesterol.

Fish and fish oil: Fish is the richest source of omega-3 fatty acids and has less saturated fat. Opting fish instead of red meat from lamb or beef will reduce cholesterol. Eating baked or grilled fish instead of fried ones will have significant difference. Two servings of any fish like mackerel, whale, lake trout, herring, sardines, seal meat, albacore tuna and salmon, a week is the best food that reduces the risk of heart disease.

Fish oils made out of cod, tuna, mackerel or salmon is good for frying any fish or meat compared to other oils. They are good for heart because of their triglyceride lowering effect.

Soluble fibers: Soluble fiber has the capacity to reduce low-density lipoprotein and also decrease the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Soluble fiber is rich in foods like apples, barley, brussels sprouts, oats, pears, psyllium, kidney beans and prunes. Any recipe made out of the above mentioned soluble fibers is capable of bringing down bad cholesterol.

Low sodium diet: Restricting sodium intake after a certain age is always good. Those prone to heart diseases can limit their sodium intake to 1.6 grams per day. A salt intake of 4 grams per day is acceptable. Any foods rich in salt like canned foods, pizza, frozen dinners, pickle, pappads or chips should be avoided.

Restricting oil: Most oils are rich in bad cholesterol. Eating baked and grilled foods are good for health. For cooking, oils like olive oil, flaxseed oil, soybean oil, canola oil and fish oil can be used. These increase your levels of HDL cholesterol and decrease blood pressure.

Walnuts: This is another food that can decrease the risk of heart disease. It has the same effect as almonds.

Pomegranate and cranberry-grape juices help to increase HDL and decrease LDL cholesterol. Pomegranate has nitric acid content in it which reduces plaque formation in the arteries.

Soy: Soybeans are rich in protein but they are believed to control obesity and lower LDL cholesterol. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals.

Olives, blue berries, black berries, strawberries, avocados, spinach, carrots, artichokes, broccoli and cauliflower are good to keep your heart healthy.

Lean meat and chicken has less fat compared to organ meat and meat with skin, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease.

Ginger and garlic also lower cholesterol. Garlic boiled and taken with milk every morning clears the blood vessels and prevents clot formation.

Food along with exercise and healthy lifestyle can definitely reduce the risk of your heart disease. So eat healthy and lower your risk of heart disease.