Stroke

Are You At Risk?

Who is at high risk for stroke?

Risk factors for stroke include:

Heart disease
High blood pressure
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Overweight
Smoke
Sedentary lifestyle
Age > 55 years
Race: African-American, Hispanic
Family History of stroke
Atrial Fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
Previous stroke or TIA
Drug use, especially cocaine

Every year 500,000 Americans suffer a stroke -- a brain attack. Early treatment at the first sign of stroke is crucial to improving chances for recovery. But preventing a stroke or brain attack is still the best medicine. You can reduce your risk for stroke.

To learn if you are at risk for stroke, complete this simple questionnaire. Then call the Maryland Brain Attack Center at 1-800-492-5538 to schedule a complete stroke risk screening and evaluation.

Stroke Self-Test

Do you smoke?		Yes / No / Quit
Are you a diabetic ?		Yes / No
Do you take insulin ?		Yes / No
Do you have a high blood cholesterol?		Yes / No / Don't know
Do you take medicine for your cholesterol ?		Yes / No
Do you take medicine for high blood pressure ?		Yes / No

If you are over 50 years old and answered "Yes" to two or more of the above questions, call us at the Maryland Brain Attack Center to schedule an appointment for a more in-depth stroke risk assessment. You may not now be at a higher risk for stroke, but the team of specialists at the University of Maryland can show you how to lower your risk of a future stroke.
	Click on Image

Have you ever had a heart attack, heart bypass, or angioplasty ?		Yes / No
Have you ever had blockages in the circulation to your legs?		Yes / No
Have you had leg bypass or angioplasty ?		Yes / No
Has anyone in your family had a stroke ?		Yes / No / Don't know
Have you been told by a doctor that you have blockages in your neck arteries ?		Yes / No

If you answered "Yes" to any of the above you may be at higher risk for stroke. Early detection and treatment in most cases can significantly reduce or even eliminate the chance of suffering disabling paralysis or death from a stroke. Call the Maryland Brain Attack Center to arrange for your diagnostic stroke risk screening. Don't wait for symptoms to develop - the very first symptom may be a stroke.

Have you ever had a stroke, or a "mini-stroke" (TIA) ?		Yes / No
Have you ever had:
Weakness, numbness, or paralysis of your arms or legs ?		Yes / No
Sudden blurred vision or blindness in your eye ?		Yes / No
Difficulty speaking or slurring of your speech ?		Yes / No
Severe headaches that occur for no reason ?		Yes / No
A loss of balance or falling down for no reason ?		Yes / No

If you answered "Yes" to ANY of the above, you may be at extremely high risk for future stroke. Most of these events CAN BE PREVENTED. Call the Maryland Brain Attack Center for diagnosis of your condition and to receive preventive treatment.

THE MARYLAND BRAIN ATTACK CENTER
University of Maryland Medicine
Call 1-800-492-5538

This page was last updated on: April 6, 2007.

For patient inquiries, call 1-800-492-5538 or click here to make an appointment.