Controllable Stroke Risk Factors: Health Tip

More than 750,000 people have a stroke each year in the United States, says Cleveland Clinic. But as many as half of all strokes are preventable, the clinic says.

Risk factors that are under all or partial control include:

• High blood pressure.
• Smoking.
• High cholesterol.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Being overweight.

The clinic reminds us that a doctor can evaluate your risk for stroke and help you control risk factors.

Initial symptoms of a stroke can occur in someone suddenly. Know these signs of a stroke:

• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty understanding or confusion, especially with simple tasks
• Difficulty with muscle strength, especially on one side of the body
• Difficulty with numbness, especially on one side of the body
• Severe headache
• Vision changes (in one or both eyes)
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Facial droop on one side