Alternative Names
brain attack; cerebrovascular accident; cerebral infarction
Symptoms & Characteristics
A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain stops. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. There are two kinds of stroke. The more common kind, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. "Mini-strokes" or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), occur when the blood supply to the brain is briefly interrupted.
Common symptoms include:
- sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- sudden severe headache with no known cause
A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications and death.
Treatment
A stroke requires immediate medical attention. If someone notices or experiences any of the signs or symptoms common to stroke, it is important to get to a hospital immediately.
How Common Is It?
About 700,000 Americans have a stroke each year.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and the number one cause of adult disability.
Genetics & Inheritance
Stroke is most likely a multifactorial condition, which means that it involves a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.
- Risk factors for stroke may include high blood pressure (hypertension), atrial fibrillation, increasing age, a previous stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, certain illicit drug use, lack of physical activity, obesity and an unhealthy diet.
It is well established that stroke also runs in some families. Researchers believe that there are probably a number of genes that influence susceptibility to stroke.
Variations in a couple of genes have been identified in some families, but no one gene has been strongly associated with stroke susceptibility. A number of candidate genes are currently under investigation.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are small variations in a single "letter" of DNA that can be found throughout our entire genetic make-up. Some researchers have proposed that specific SNPs may cause susceptibility to stroke in some people. Research is currently often limited to specific ethnic groups. Further research is needed to replicate study findings across different ethnic groups and clearly establish associations.
Genetic Testing
Clinical genetic testing for stroke susceptibility is unavailable.
A genetic consultation with a trained genetic professional may be beneficial in discussing the benefits and limitations of genetic testing as well as recurrence risk. Use our find a genetic professional directory to locate a trained genetic professional in your area.
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