Stroke (Brain Attack) Part I - What Causes a Stroke?

Besides cancer and heart diseases, stroke is the thirdthat causes the blood to clot activity of cells in result of
leading cause of death. Approximate 1/4 of all strokeblocking blood flow and damaging the blood vessels in
victims die as a direct result of the stroke or it'sthe brain.
complications. Stroke is caused by uncontrolled diet3. Excessive drinking
that is high in saturated and trans fats resulting inModerate drinking is good for your heart, but
cholesterol build up in the arteries and high bloodexcessive drinking can raise levels of some fats in
pressure. In other words, if cholesterol building up in theyour blood causing cholesterol to build up in the arteries
arteries is blocking the circulation of blood in any partand blood vessels in the brain resulting in increase of
of the body causing oxygen not to be delivered to thethe risk of stroke.
brain, resulting in some cells in the brain to die off and4. Diabetes
are unable reproduce, then we have stroke. OtherPeople with diabetes tend to develop heart disease or
strokes happen when a blood vessel in the brainhave strokes at an earlier age than other people.
ruptures causing the cells in your brain to be deprivedDiabetes with unhealthy diet causes high blood glucose
of oxygen in your blood, they die and never comelevels that damage nerves and blood vessels, leading
back.to complications such as heart disease and stroke, the
There are similar causes of stroke and heart diseases,leading causes of death among people with diabetes.
but in stroke the result is more severe. Any delay of5. Obesity - a body mass index of 30 or higher
rescuing will result in death of the victim. Here areStudy shows that even after adjusting for other
some causes of stroke:stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure,
1. Unhealthy dietdiabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, cardiac diseases,
A diet high in saturated and trans fats causes badmoderate alcohol consumption, and physical activity;
cholesterol to build up in your blood vessels in the brain,obesity is still associated with a greatest risk of stroke
blocking oxygen needed for the cells thus increasingin men and women.
the risk of stroke. Also unhealthy diet causes high6. Use of birth control pills
blood pressure making your heart work harder toBirth control pills contain estrogen and one of two
pump blood to your body in result of heart diseases.other hormones, lynestrenol or norethisterone that
High blood pressure also causes the blood vessels inincrease the risk of blood clotting, which can lead to
your brain to harden and thin, increasing the risk ofischemic stroke especially in woman who smoke and
stroke.who are older than 35.
2. SmokingThere are many other causes of stroke such as heart
Smoking not only has a devastating effect on thediseases that we have discussed lengthily in the heart
health of the smoker but also to anyone that inhales itsdiseases articles.
toxic fumes. Cigarettes contain high levels of cadmium