Stroke + Original Articles

Common Infections May Raise Stroke Risk

According to recent studies, exposure to some common pathogens (infectious organisms) may raise the risk of having a stroke. Exposure to some common pathogens (infectious organisms) may raise the risk of having a stroke, according to a study published in the Archives of Neurology. The study, led by Mitchell Elkind, M.D., associate professor of neurology at Columbia University...

Pediatric Stroke: What You Should Know

When you think of strokes, you probably think it only happens to adults. In fact, pediatric stroke also exists and it’s important to know the signs of this serious condition in case your child is at risk. When you think of strokes, you probably think it only happens to adults. In fact, pediatric stroke also exists and it's important to know the signs of this serious condition in case your child is at risk. Pediatric Stroke While pediatric stroke is rare, it does happen, affecting about 3 in every 100,000 children every year.

Kudzu Root May Reduce Risk for Metabolic Syndrome

Find out how a Japanese vine could help manage metabolic syndrome and decrease your risk of heart disease. A fast-growing vine long considered a nuisance because it takes over everything in its path (including ten million acres in the Southeast) may have redeeming qualities after all. A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that kudzu, a vine imported from Japan, may help manage metabolic syndrome, a condition that includes a group of risk factors that increase the chance for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

The Job Stress and Stroke Connection

Men who feel stressed at work are at a greater risk of having a stroke. Every 45 seconds someone has a stroke in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Furthermore, stroke is the third most common cause of death in the country. Studies show that high blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke with various lifestyles factors increasing this risk, such as obesity, lack of exercise, diet, drug use, alcohol, smoking and stress.

What to Expect after a Stroke

If you've recently had a stroke, there is a lot you need to consider. If you've suffered a stroke recently, you are not alone. Each year, nearly 800,000 people--and about 55,000 more women than men--will have a stroke. Stroke is a sort of "brain attack" in which a blood clot blocks an artery from carrying blood from the heart to the body or a blood vessel breaks, cutting off blood flow to the brain.

Guys: Are You at Risk for Stroke?

Health officials assert that cardiovascular disease is preventable in many cases. Find out if you’re at risk for stroke and what you should—or must—do about it. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the country and a major contributing factor to disability. Every year there are approximately 600,000 strokes that cause about 158,000 deaths. For 2005, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that the cardiovascular disease would cost the U.

The 5 Biggest Medical Breakthroughs of 2008-2009

Each year we hear of the latest in medical innovations. Although these improvements amaze us at times, the majority of Americans will never come in contact with the latest breakthroughs…or so you think. In 1928, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming demonstrated penicillin’s antibiotic properties. However, it was not until 1942 that the now common antibiotic was available for mass production. Likewise, the first approved flu vaccine was developed by the United States military during World War II; however, it was not available for the public until the late 1950s.

Women and Heart Disease: What's the Link?

Find out why women are at such a high risk for heart disease. Though men are still perceived to comprise the majority of heart disease sufferers, as women age, their heart attack risk starts to equal that of men's. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death among older women, with about twice as many dying of cardiovascular disease than all the cancers combined.

Preventing Heart Disease in Women

Find out what you can do to prevent the number one killer of American women. Heart disease should be a concern for every American. According to The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. However, among all U.S. women who die each year, one in four dies of heart disease.

Understanding Epileptic Seizures

There is currently no cure for epilepsy, but with the right treatment, most people with the condition can lead normal, fulfilling lives. More than 2 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with epilepsy, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). But as common as epilepsy is, stigmas about the condition have only recently begun to be dispelled.

Public Health Resources for Meningitis Prevention

Learn about the inexpensive and no-cost resources available to help prevent this potentially deadly disease. Meningococcal disease, or bacterial meningitis, is a rare and potentially deadly disease marked by the inflammation of the thin tissue that envelopes the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. (Viral meningitis, a less serious form of the disease, is the result of a virus entering the body through the nose or mouth and traveling to the brain.

High Cholesterol: Could Your Children Be at Risk?

Early steps in childhood to keep cholesterol low can help reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke later in life. High cholesterol is often thought of as an adult's health concern. However, research shows that parents may need to start thinking about the cholesterol levels of their children. In fact, it's now believed that coronary artery disease, which is caused by a buildup of cholesterol and plaque in the arteries and leads to heart disease and stroke, begins in childhood.

Could You Be at Risk for a Stroke?

Learn what you can do to protect yourself from this debilitating health threat. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. And although many people survive these medical emergencies, the disease can have a devastating impact, not only on the survivor, but on everyone who cares about him or her.

9 Diseases You Can Get at the Salon

Think the salon is just a place to be pampered? You may be getting much more than you bargained for. Mad cow disease, hepatitis, fungus, even stroke—these can all result from a day of relaxation and beautification at the salon. Beauty is only skin deep, but you're going to have to look beyond the surface to make sure your next trip to the beauty parlor leaves you pampered and free of these nine frightening health risks: 1.

4 Deadliest Dangers of Summer

These potential health hazards can cause a perfect summer day to turn tragic. Summer is traditionally a time for sand, surf, and fun in the sun. But unfortunately, some of the season's activities can put both adults and children at risk for serious accidents, from broken bones to heatstroke and even drowning. How can you protect your family from these potential perils? Read on as we reveal the four deadliest dangers of summer—and what you can do to keep from being a victim.

Are Brain Tumors on the Rise?

More people are being diagnosed with brain tumors than ever before. Find out why. Both Senator Ted Kennedy and golfer Seve Ballesteros have undergone surgeries to remove brain tumors in recent months. The frightening diagnosis of a brain tumor is one that no one ever wants to hear. And, yet, it seems like it's becoming increasingly more common among people well-known and people unknown.

Health by the Numbers: Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 2,500 Americans each day. Here, a look at heart health by the numbers. Heart disease, known as a silent killer, claims the lives of millions of Americans each year. An umbrella term for multiple conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, heart disease includes coronary artery disease, pulmonary heart disease, and hypertension.

Health by the Numbers: Cholesterol

High cholesterol puts you at a higher risk for serious health conditions, including heart attack and stroke. Here, a look at cholesterol by the numbers. Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body. This fat-like substance is an important component of cell membranes and a building block in the formation of certain hormones. Too much cholesterol in the blood, though, can cause fatty deposits to develop in blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries.

Understanding Your Cholesterol Levels

Do you know your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride numbers? Learn how to decipher these terms and reduce your disease risk. At this point, it's no secret that high cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease or stroke. But according to the American Heart Association, only about 13 percent of Americans know their cholesterol numbers or what they mean. In addition to keeping your levels in check by making healthy lifestyle choices, follow these guidelines to learn what your cholesterol levels are and what they mean.

Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers

These numbers could potentially save your life. Your phone number, credit-card pin, social-security digits—these are all crucial numbers to remember. And according to health experts, you should also commit another set of numbers to memory. Why? These numbers could potentially save your life: Total cholesterol LDL bad cholesterol HDL good cholesterol Total cholesterol is, of course, the total of your low-density (LDL) cholesterol, high density (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides.

6 Easy Ways to Beat the Heat

Keeping cool on hot summer days isn't only a matter a comfort—it's vital for good health and even survival. A little fun in the sun is one thing, but when it could put you at risk for heat stroke, it's time to take some precautions. That's the message from the Pennsylvania Medical Society and experts all across the country, who warn both adults and children alike that heat stroke is a potentially deadly illness to be avoided—even if it means sacrificing a day at the beach.

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