The 5 Leading Causes of a Stroke

According to the National Stroke Association, each year almost 800,000 people experience their first stroke in the United States alone. That’s one person each  40 seconds! In this article we’ll take a look at the five leading causes of strokes, which include blood clots in the brain (most common), high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, dissection or tearing of arteries and carotid artery disease. We’ll also touch on what to do if you suspect someone may be having a stroke and how to prevent future strokes from occurring.

1) High cholesterol

High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of a stroke. When there's too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries. This  is term  as plaque. Plaque can narrow  arteries and make it difficult for blood to flow through arteries. If a plaque tear or bursts, a blood clot can form. If the blood  clot blocks the flow of blood to brain, it can result in  a stroke.

2) High blood pressure

One of the leading causes of a stroke is high blood pressure. When your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra pressure  on your blood vessels and heart. This can damage the artery walls and cause plaques to form. Plaques are made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in your blood. If a plaque breaks open, it can cause a blood clot to form. If the clot blocks an artery that supplies blood to your brain, it can cause a stroke.

3) Blood clots

Blood clots are the leading cause of strokes, accounting for about 87% of all cases. A blood clot can form in an artery or vein, and if it breaks free, it can travel to your brain and block one of the blood vessels. A stroke can also occur if a blood clot forms in your heart and then travels to your brain. Clots can form due to atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), heart disease, high blood pressure, and other conditions. Smoking is a major risk factor for blood clots that can lead to stroke.

4) Smoking

Smoking is the leading cause of stroke and accounts for approximately 29% of all strokes. Cigarette smoking causes an estimated 480,000 deaths each year, including about 41,000 deaths from stroke. Smoking rises the  risk of stroke. The risk is even greater in people who smoke and have high blood pressure. People who smoke are also more likely to have a stroke at a younger age than nonsmokers. 

5) Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the main  causes of stroke. When you have diabetes, your body can't properly process sugar, which leads to high levels of sugar in your blood. This can damage your blood vessels and nerves, and increase your risk of stroke. If you're not taking proper care of your diabetes, talk to your doctor about how you can manage it.