Arterial Stiffness, Artery Blockage, And Stroke: 3 Facts You Need to Know By Aimee Whitfill At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Strokes affect about 900,000 people in the United States each year. Almost 90 percent of all strokes are caused by blockages in the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain, leaving many people dead or disabled. Arterial blockage and stiffness is also a large contributor to aging-related cardiovascular diseases. Are you at risk? Read on to find out about arterial stiffness, artery blockage, and stroke: 3 facts you need to know.

Risks you can control

Unhealthy lifestyle choices contribute heavily to arterial stiffness and blockage. The good news about that is that you have control over these issues. If you smoke, stop immediately. Studies have shown that after 10 years of quitting, your arteries can return to a much healthier state. If you are overweight, ramp up your workout routine and lose those extra pounds, which will also help lower your blood pressure and possibly prevent diabetes, both causes of arterial stiffness. Even 30 minutes of exercise per day can be beneficial.

High cholesterol is another risk factor for arterial disease, so eat a healthier diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats from nuts or olive oil. Limiting animal based fats in your diet will lower your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and triglycerides in the blood. Also try to limit your alcohol intake to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Risks you cannot control

Of course, there are some risks you cannot control. The older you get, the higher your risk for arterial stiffness and stroke. With each decade after the age of 55, your risk doubles. Family history is important, too. If an immediate family member has suffered a stroke in the past, your chances for having one increase as well.

People with diabetes are also at a higher risk for arterial disease, as are African Americans and those living in the southeast region of the United States. Additionally, women have higher instances of stroke from arterial disease due in part from pregnancy and the use of birth control pills.

Diagnosing arterial stiffness and blockage

Surprisingly, for such a serious condition, there are usually no symptoms of arterial stiffness or blockage. Occasionally, people with arterial disease will have mini-strokes (also referred to as transient ischemic attacks or TIAs) that they may not even recognize as being a stroke. If you develop a sudden headache or temporary numbness, dizziness, or problems with vision, you may be suffering from one of these mini-strokes that are the precursors to a major stroke.

However, in many cases, there are no mini-strokes beforehand and no other symptoms. That is why preventive screening is so important. Non-invasive Doppler ultrasound performed by a skilled technician can identify your risk. Another test that can identify arterial stiffness is the ankle-brachial index (ABI), a painless test that compares the blood pressure in your ankle and arm. Normally, blood pressure in the ankle is slightly higher than in the arm. However, lower blood pressure in the legs indicates the possibility of blocked arteries.

Early detection due to preventive screening can prevent up to 80 percent of strokes. Luckily, testing is quick and easy, because many companies offer mobile screening in local churches, community centers, or gyms. You will quickly learn if you are at risk for or if you have arterial stiffness or blockage.

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