Winter 2010 - St. Joseph's Health Care London
Winter 2010 - St. Joseph's Health Care London
Winter 2010 - St. Joseph's Health Care London
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18<br />
<strong>St</strong>r�ke<br />
By lori K. BaKer<br />
SenSe<br />
Test your<br />
knowledge<br />
when it comes<br />
to brain<br />
attacks and<br />
learn what<br />
you can do<br />
to protect<br />
yourself<br />
Vim & Vigour • WINTER <strong>2010</strong><br />
illusTraTions By ellen weinsTein<br />
True or false: <strong>St</strong>roke runs in the family,<br />
like grandpa’s blue eyes and grandma’s wavy hair, and there’s really not<br />
much you can do to avoid it.<br />
answer: False! In the past, a stroke was like a lightning bolt out of the<br />
blue: unpredictable, unpreventable, untreatable and devastating. But<br />
today, researchers know that many “brain attacks” can be prevented by<br />
controlling certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol<br />
and diabetes. It also spells trouble if you smoke cigarettes, pack<br />
on too many pounds, drink too much and don’t exercise. <strong>St</strong>ill, life can<br />
deal out other risk factors like an unlucky card hand, with age, ethnicity<br />
and heredity also playing a role in strokes.<br />
Many of us are dangerously ignorant of the risk factors and warning<br />
signs of stroke, which is the nation’s third leading cause of death (trailing<br />
heart disease and cancer) and leaves many survivors with lifelong<br />
disabilities. Take this quiz to find out what health issues could be putting<br />
you at risk and what you can do to protect yourself. Check each question<br />
that applies to you. Then, read on to learn more.
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