According to the American Stroke Association, about 795,000 Americans suffer from a new or recurrent stroke each year. In 2009, Americans will pay about $68.9 billion in medical costs and disability due to strokes. More than 143,000 people die from strokes each year, making it the third leading cause of death.

The brain is a complex organ that controls multiple body functions. A stroke can restrict blood flow from reaching certain regions of the brain that control particular body functions causing those functions not to work.

The effects of a stroke will depend on the part of the brain that that is obstructed and the extent of damage that the brain tissue suffers. Since one side of our brain controls the opposite side of the body, an obstruction that occurs on one side of the brain will result in neurological complications on the opposite side of the body.

A stroke will happen so fast. People usually experience two or more of the following symptoms:

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden loss of balance, trouble walking or dizziness
• Sudden trouble talking, understanding speech and confusion
• Sudden severe headache without obvious cause

If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Strokes that are caused by blood clots can be treated with clot-busting drugs like TPA. It must be administered within 3 hours of the start of the stroke in order for it to work. Surgery is also an option to remove the fatty deposits that are clogging arteries.

Although some stroke risk factors cannot be controlled, strokes can sometimes be preventable. To reduce your chances of having a stroke you should take the following precautions:

• Monitor Your Blood Pressure
• Don’t Smoke
• Test For Diabetes
• Test Your Cholesterol
• Maintain a Healthy Weight
• Don’t Drink Excessively
• Decrease Stress

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and scheduling regular routine appointments with your physician can help to reduce the risk of suffering from a stroke.