Stroke, the destruction of brain cells that occurs when blood to the brain is cut off, can kill you (it’s the fifth leading cause of death in the US). If it doesn’t kill you, it may leave you physically and/or mentally impaired—permanently. Stroke can be caused by blood clots or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), although occasionally it is the result of trauma. Your chance of a stroke increases dramat- ically after you hit fifty-five and continues increasing as you age. Current research from a long-term study on Alzheimer’s and aging suggests that having a stroke can put you at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s. Risk factors for stroke include:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
If you have any of these risk factors, take concrete steps to safeguard your brain.