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Show Stroke: Prevention is Possible (This is the fourth of a series of six articles to inform readers of this newspaper about various aspects of heart and blood vessel diseases.) dis-eases.) IV overweight, lack of exercise, stress, and a diet high in cholesterol cho-lesterol and saturated fats. Because stroke has hit young men and women, even children, it is essential that blood pressure pres-sure checks, proper diet and heart-healthy living begins at an early age. That's why the local Heart Association stresses public and medical education on stroke prevention particularly high blood pressure pres-sure control. Information about stroke warning signals and reduction of risk factors will be handed out by local volunteers in the Heart Campaign in February. Stroke is not a disease that affects only the aged, nor is it a matter of fate. It is caused, in many cases, by specific risk factors factors that can be identified and reduced, according accord-ing to the American Heart Association. Stroke can usually be avoided, but prevention comes only by knowing risk factors and warning signals. About 21)0,0(10 Americans will die of stroke this vear. A total of 1 .()(),()()() will be afflicted, many with crippling after-effects. Stroke occurs when oxygenated blood is blocked from reaching part of the brain, causing millions of brain cells to die: the result can be irreversible brain damage. Many major strokes are preceded pre-ceded by "little strokes" or warning signals experienced days, weeks or months before the more severe event. Prompt medical or surgical attention to these symptoms may prevent a major stroke from occurring. The primary signal of stroke is a feeling of sudden, temporary weakness or numbness of face, arm andor leg on one side of the body. Other signals include: tempo- rary loss of speech or trouble in speaking or understanding speech; temporary dimness or loss of vision (particularly in one eye); unexplained dizziness or unsteadiness or sudden falls. Many fatal strokes could have been prevented if hypertension hyper-tension (high blood pressure), a leading cause of stroke, had been diagnosed and controlled. "We know reduction of risk factors can help prevent stroke," said a local Heart Association source. "Take high blood pressure, for example. Nowadays it can be controlled. VA Hospital research showed significant reduction in stroke deaths in cases where high blood pressure was controlled. And data from lengthy studies on residents of Framingham, Mass. has supported the theory that early detection of high blood pressure, and its control, is the key to stroke prevention." preven-tion." Although high blood pressure pres-sure is the most Significant risk factor in stroke, like heart attack, there are other factors: high levels of cholesterol in the blood -and excessive smoking are major factors, along with |