As a stroke specialist in Singapore, I frequently answer questions about stroke risk factors and prevention. People often want to know about the factors that increase their risk of experiencing a stroke and what steps they can take to minimize that risk. I offer personalized guidance tailored to each person's circumstances.
Introduction to Stroke Risk Factors and Prevention FAQs
Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in Singapore and leaves many disabled each year. Although you can never wholly prevent strokes, there are ways to lower your stroke risk by undergoing a stroke screening and making a plan with a highly-trained stroke specialist like Dr. Manish Taneja in Singapore.
Don’t have time to read the full blog post? Watch the video here for a quick overview in our video gallery or subscribe for updates to our YouTube channel and enjoy our quick and comprehensive video series with expert advice, essential insights, guides, how-to’s, and the answers to common questions.
1. What is my Stroke Risk?
The American Stroke Association has developed a questionnaire that helps people determine their stroke risk. The risk factors include things such as smoking, being overweight, having diabetes, etc. If this questionnaire determines you are at high risk, you should talk to your doctor about stroke management. Furthermore, the Singaporean arm of OMRON Healthcare, a Japanese global leader in home blood pressure monitoring and solutions for cardio and cerebrovascular disease management, introduced a stroke risk calculator. If you feel you are at stroke risk, visit the website to calculate now.
2. Does High Cholesterol Cause Stroke?
Yes, high cholesterol can cause a stroke. Those with high cholesterol develop fatty deposits in their arteries, blocking blood flow. If these deposits break, they can cause a heart attack or stroke.
3. Do Strokes Cause Vision Problems?
2/3rds of those who suffer from a stroke experience vision problems. These impairments can be temporary or permanent and vary. The main types of vision problems stroke patients experience are:
- Visual field loss, where you miss parts of your vision
- Problems controlling the muscles and movements of your eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Problems processing what you see
4. How High Can High Blood Pressure Go Before a Stroke?
High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. Blood pressure over 180/120 mmHg is considered a high risk for stroke. If your blood pressure reaches this level, seek medical attention immediately. With regular home blood pressure monitoring, you can significantly reduce your risk by 54%* according to the OMRON Internal Study (November 2021 to October 2022).
5. What Causes Stroke in the Elderly?
Although strokes can happen at any age, they are most prevalent among the elderly. The main reason for this is that stroke causes and risk factors increase with age, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and more. Smoking and family history also increase stroke risk. Prevention and a healthy lifestyle are the best ways to lower stroke risk at every age.
6. What Causes Multiple Strokes?
The causes of reoccurring strokes are the same as the initial stroke, but stroke risk increases after the initial occurrence. Convening with a neurointervention specialist can help plan and lower the chance of reoccurrence. Read our helpful blog post on how to prevent the risk of a second stroke.
7. What Food Is Good For Stroke Patients?
Diet is crucial to preventing and treating strokes. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein is beneficial for heart health and stroke risk. Studies have shown statistical evidence that following the Mediterranean Diet lowers the risk of stroke and reoccurrence. If you're wondering what food is good, we've got you covered with our informative and relevant blog post on the best foods to have for stroke patients and survivors.
8. What is Considered a Moderate Stroke?
The severity of a stroke is evaluated using The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The scale ranges from 0 to 42 and uses 15 questions evaluating 11 elements. If a patient's symptoms rank between 5 and 15, the stroke is considered moderate. If a patient's condition significantly changes, they can be reassessed, but in general, those who suffer from a moderate stroke require in-patient rehabilitation.
9. Is it Normal for Stroke Patients to Sleep a Lot?
While excessive sleepiness is a risk factor for stroke, while healing, it is quite normal and healthy for patients to sleep more. After a stroke, the brain requires more energy to heal the damage. Sleep also improves neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections.
10. Is a Stiff Neck a Sign of a Stroke?
Neck pain is not generally a symptom of a stroke, but a tear in one of the arteries in the neck can cause a stroke. If you experience persistent neck pain along with a headache and other stroke symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Read more on how to understand and manage neck pain in our article.
Preventing and Treating Stroke in Singapore
While stroke management can help stroke survivors, prevention is the most effective stroke treatment. Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is a stroke clinic in Singapore that specializes in stroke screening and treatment. Although you can never make the risk of stroke 0%, there are ways to lessen risks and maximize recovery in the case a stroke does happen.
If you or a loved one requires a specialized stroke clinic in Singapore, contact us today. Our stroke specialist, Dr. Manish Taneja, in Singapore is here to ensure you and your loved ones have a long, happy future.
Stroke Resources
Stroke Prevention Tips: How to Avoid High Cholesterol
Controllable risk factors are lifestyle choices that can be changed to reduce the risk of having a stroke including managing your cholesterol.
We’ve Got You Covered for Specialized Stroke Screening, Prevention, and Management
Imagine heart attacks where the blood flow to your heart is blocked. Similarly, a stroke occurs when the blood flow to your brain is interrupted becoming a “brain attack”, affecting a blood vessel and surrounding brain function. When blood supply does not reach a certain part, brain cells begin to die. Different types of stroke include ischemic strokes or a mini stroke, a TIA (transient ischemic attack). Common risk factors include high blood pressure, which increases strain on the blood vessel and raises the likelihood of a stroke. Symptoms can vary, but may include difficulty in speaking and other changes depending on how blood flow is affected. Understanding risk factors and acting early can make a difference. It’s important to work closely with a specialist to monitor your health and reduce stroke risk.
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your "go-to" facility for various neurointerventional / stroke conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our neurointervention specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.