Communication is Key to Stroke Treatment 

Knowing your loved ones' medical history is important in identifying potential warning signs of a stroke and assessing his or her risk of suffering this type of injury. Men who are older than 55 who are African-American, Pacific/Islander or Hispanic are at a greater risk than other people. 

Additional risk factors that should be monitored and considered include: 

• diabetes;
• high cholesterol;
• high blood pressure;
• smoking;
• obesity;
• drinking alcohol to excess; and
• family history of strokes. 

People who have already had a stroke are also at risk for a secondary stroke or a TIA -- Transient Ischemic Attack. This is known as a "mini stroke" and can be a precursor to a major stroke later in life. All of these factors should be made known to medical providers when responding to a stroke because they could impact the types of stroke treatment provided to the victim. 

Strokes can happen in an instant, so quick reaction with the FAST program is one of the keys to survival. Note the time the first symptom presented itself because it could be an important clue to a person’s health. Not all stroke signs are signs of a full stroke. If they are signs of a TIA, a physician will be able to diagnose it as such and acknowledge the risk of a full-blown stroke. 

Talk to your doctor about stroke risks and preventive measures your loved one can take to reduce the risk of a stroke. This advice can benefit anyone at any age, whether he or she has suffered a TIA or not.