Study Links Vaping to Increased Heart Attack Risk

June 11, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

Vaping has become a trend among young individuals and people generally assume it is safer than traditional cigarettes. However, a recent study has found that it is linked to an increased heart attack risk. Vapers are more at risk of having a heart attack as compared to nonsmokers. Moreover, they are also at risk of suffering depression and developing coronary artery disease.

The Study

The study ¹ showed that e-cigarette users are at a 34% greater risk of having a heart attack and 25% more at risk of having a coronary artery disease. They are also 55% more likely to develop anxiety or depression.

These connections are valid even after managing other cardiovascular risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, body mass index, sex, and age.

While researchers were not able to determine if this damage was done before the usage of e-cigarettes or was done due to vaping, they still believe it is a wakeup call for individuals who believe e-cigarettes are safe.

Researchers further found that no matter the frequency of vaping, whether occasionally or daily, vapers are still at a high risk of developing coronary artery disease and heart attack. They are also likely to develop circulatory issues, diabetes, and blood pressure.

Young People Are at High Risk

Another study ²found that while Americans are getting fewer heart attacks, the percentage has drastically increased among individuals younger than 40 years of age. This indicates that young people are more at risk of a heart attack.

The results showed that 20% of individuals who suffered a heart attack were aged 40 or younger. This percentage has increased by 2% every year in the past decade.

Many of the heart attack victims are in their 20s and 30s. This was considered a rare occurrence a few decades ago. These young individuals have similar risks of dying from a stroke or another heart attack just like elderly patients.

Even if an individual is in their 20s or 30s, after a heart attack, the risk of other cardiovascular issues is higher just like for other elderly patients. For those of you who remember the actor Luke Perry from the 90s teen TV show “Beverly Hills 90210” and the more recent teen drama “Riverdale” based on the characters of Archie Comics, you’ll remember his massive stroke was shock to many.

Associated Risk Factors

Associated risk factors like high cholesterol, smoking, vaping, high blood pressure, and diabetes are the same among both younger and older individuals who had a heart attack.

While young individuals drink less alcohol as compared to people older than them, they are still likely to use other substances, like cocaine, marijuana and also frequently vape, believing it is safer than traditional cigarettes.

Precautions to Take

In order to prevent heart attacks, and other health risks, it is essential to stop vaping, avoid tobacco, reduce alcohol intake, and maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is also important to manage your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

You should also take preventive measures against diabetes since one out of five heart attack patients aged below 50 years are found to have diabetes. Diabetics have a higher chance of experiencing another heart attack and dying from it as compared to other individuals.

It is therefore, highly recommended that you take preventive measures to improve and maintain your overall health.

Stroke 101: Things You Should Know

June 11, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

A stroke can be viewed as a brain attack, which can happen at any time, anywhere, and to anyone. It happens when the flow of blood in the brain is disrupted, resulting in the deprivation of oxygen to the brain cells. When the brain cells don’t get the oxygen they need, they begin to die. When this happens during a stroke, the individual’s abilities, including muscle control and memory, that are controlled by that particular area of the brain are lost. It is important to learn more about stroke, including the causes of stroke, and how to identify when someone is having a stroke to ensure immediate medical treatment is provided to reduce potential damages.

Causes of Stroke

There can be numerous causes of a stroke. Typically, the risk factors include usage of illegal drugs, smoking, heavy drinking, inactive lifestyle, family history, and obesity. The causes can vary depending on the type of stroke. The two most common types of stroke are:

Ischaemic Stroke – this occurs when the blood and oxygen flow in the brain is stopped due to a blood clot. The causes of this stroke include:

Heavy consumption of alcohol
Diabetes
High level of cholesterol
Obesity
High blood pressure
Smoking

Other causes of this stroke include Atrial Fibrillation, which is a kind of irregular heartbeat.

Haemorrhagic Stroke – this occurs when a vein inside the brain bursts, causing internal bleeding. It is also known as intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral hemorrhage. The causes of this stroke include:

Increased levels of stress
Inactive lifestyle
Smoking
Excessive drinking
Obesity

This stroke can also be caused due to abnormal formation of blood vessels or tearing of expanded blood vessels.

How To Identify When Someone Is Having A Stroke

There are various ways to identify if someone is having a stroke. You can use the FAST method of identifying the signs:

F: Face Drooping

A: Arm Weakness

S: Speaking Difficulties

T: Time to call an ambulance

Some other warning signs include:

Weakness or numbness in the leg and face, particularly on one side
Increased confusion
Inability to understand others
Vision problems
Dizziness
Severe headache

If you or anyone around you is experiencing these symptoms, it is best to call for medical attention immediately.

Prevention of Stroke

With the increasing cases of stroke, especially among young individuals, it is important to take measures to reduce your chances of stroke. In general, you must adopt a healthy lifestyle, which will not only prevent stroke but numerous other health issues. It is recommended that you take the following measures:

Control and maintain your blood pressure
Reduce the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol from your diet
Stop smoking
Control diabetes
Maintain your weight
Consume a diet loaded with vegetables and fruits
Regularly exercise
Quit or limit alcohol consumption
Avoid illegal drugs
Get treated for OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea)

It is important to keep yourself educated about the signs and symptoms of stroke. Moreover, it is essential to take effective measures to reduce your chances of a stroke, especially if you are high at risk. In case you or someone around you is experiencing these symptoms or signs, get medical attention immediately to prevent major damages.

Doctor giving patient OK in Health Screening

Screening: Health Benefits and What to Expect

June 11, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

Health screening is an effective way to detect a particular condition or disease early, even when there haven’t been any signs or symptoms of that disease. Early detection means getting the right treatment at the right time, which gives you better control over your health. The first time the benefits of screening for disease prevention were demonstrated was in the 1940s s by the use of mass miniature radiography (MMR) for the identification of individuals with tuberculosis (TB). By the end of the second world war, effective treatment for TB was introduced and the use of MMR became widespread in many western countries this showing the benefits. Therefore, it is essential to get yourself screened.

Benefits of Health Screening

Health screenings should be a priority for everyone in order to ensure their optimal health. Here are some of the main benefits of health screening:

It helps in identifying if you are at risk or have any condition or disease that you don’t know about.
Early detection of diseases results in better management and treatment of the disease, which decreases the risk of complications and increases the chances of better health outcomes.
Age is one of the major risk factors for various life-altering disorders but with the option of early detection and treatment, your body can have the best defense against these diseases.
If you have a family history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease or stroke, then health screening can help you with the process of prevention and provide you with timely treatments.

If you are under 30 years of age, then it is recommended to get a screening done once every two years. For individuals 30 years and above, a yearly health screening is highly recommended. Moreover, for individuals over 50, more screening tests are conducted that are age-related.

Things to Expect from Health Screening

Before you go in for health screening, it is important to understand the process so you are better prepared. Here are some of the tests that are commonly conducted during health screenings:

Blood Pressure Test – This is one of the most important tests your physician will conduct. In case your blood pressure is tested high, you may have to undergo further tests to detect the cause.
Cholesterol Tests – If you are obese, frequently drink alcohol or smoke, your doctor will check your cholesterol level.
Diabetes Test – If your blood pressure is high as well as your cholesterol level, or you have a family history of diabetes then you will be checked for diabetes.
Mammograms, Osteoporosis and Pap Smear Tests – These tests are conducted for prevention of breast cancers and cervical cancers, along with other disorders that affect women.
Colorectal Cancer – For individuals above 50 years of age, with inherited mutations or gene defects, inflammatory bowel disorder, and colorectal polyps, this test is highly recommended.
Prostate Cancer Tests – Men who have higher levels of testosterone, are obese, and/or are above 50 years of age must get themselves tested for prostate cancer.
STDs – For individuals who are sexually active, especially with more than one sexual partner, these screenings are highly recommended.

Typically, a health screening session may take about 30 minutes or half a day, depending on how many tests the doctor wants to conduct as per your situation. Other common tests include blood tests, x-rays, urinalysis, and fecalysis. Early detection of any disease or condition can help to prevent it from advancing into a chronic disorder. Moreover, complications can also be avoided through health screenings. This means you can also avoid mortality and morbidity, as well as higher treatment costs later on.

Regular Exercise Reduces High Blood Pressure

June 11, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

As you grow older, the risk of hypertension increases. This means it is essential to take necessary precautions to control and prevent high blood pressure. Recent studies have revealed that exercise can play a major role in helping you control high blood pressure. This certainly doesn’t mean running a marathon or even joining a gym, just a few minutes of physical activity every day can do wonders.

The Studies

A study ¹ published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, highlighted that one or more in every four UK adults experience high blood pressure. This is a significant risk factor for heart attack or stroke. While it is more common among the elderly, it can still affect anyone regardless of age. The study found that regular exercise can be as effective as the majority of available medications in controlling blood pressure.

Another study ² focused on the levels of visceral fat, which is the type of fat that isn’t visible on the outside but instead covers various internal organs. High levels of visceral fat can be extremely harmful to health and result in a number of health issues, including high blood pressure.

The study found that while both medication and exercise can help in decreasing visceral fat, regular exercise offered the most advantages. Additionally, modifying the diet is another effective way of reducing body fat and obesity.

As you start losing visceral fat, your risk of high blood pressure decreases and you can also overcome numerous other illnesses associated with high amount of body fat.

Exercising to Reduce Blood Pressure

So, how often do you have to exercise to reduce fat and control blood pressure?

It is best to aim for moderate activity, which can include brisk walking for 30 minutes for at least five days a week. If you are unable to exercise for 30 minutes then you can opt for shorter but more vigorous physical activity, for instance jogging for 10 to 20 minutes for three to four days a week.

If you have been inactive for a long period of time, it is best to start slowly and gradually increase the duration and intensity. Here is what you should do:

Start with warming up your body. This should take five to ten minutes of stretching and other warm up exercises that can help your body prepare for the workout and prevent any potential injuries.
Slowly increase the intensity. Don’t try to overdo it. Keep in mind that while exercising, you should still be able to talk. If you can sing then you need to turn it up a notch.
After the workout, give your body time to cool down. Avoid stopping the workout suddenly. Decrease the intensity for the next few minutes till you feel your heartbeat getting normal.

An inactive lifestyle has been associated with an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, it is important to include regular workouts as part of your daily activities. Regular activity will help in reducing blood pressure and can be as good as any blood pressure medication. In case of any confusion, it is best to consult your doctor to determine the right fitness plan for you.

New Guidance For Hypertension Consultation

June 11, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has made a major change in the blood pressure guidance last published in 2011¹. The draft guidelines ² recommend the threshold of hypertension treatment should be reduced, which makes more than 450,000 men and 270,000 women eligible for blood pressure treatment. This means that an increased number of individuals would be offered drugs to lower blood pressure as a means to prevent strokes and heart attacks. This guidance has been released for consultation till April, 30 and is expected to be finalized by August 2019.

Previous Guidelines and New Recommendations

According to the NICE recommended guidance from 2011, drugs for lowering blood pressure should be given to individuals under 80 years of age who are suffering from stage one hypertension and are at 20% or more risk of cardiovascular disease in the next ten years.

As per the new recommendations, NICE has recommended offering blood pressure lowering drugs to patients with 10% or more risk of cardiovascular disease.

Stage one hypertension is when there isn’t any identifiable reason behind the increase in blood pressure. It might be associated with different factors, including genetics, physical activity, salt intake, or obesity.

According to the guideline committee chairman, Anthony Wierzbicki ³, these changes in the guidelines have resulted in updating the previous recommendations for early intervention of hypertension and is expected to make major differences in the lives of patients suffering from this condition.

The Reason

The recommended new guidelines will shift the focus effectively towards early intervention with either drug treatment or lifestyle treatment. The aim is to reduce the age-related blood pressure issues and help patients live a longer life with reduced need for consuming multiple drugs.

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of strokes and heart attacks in the country, but countless individuals are not undiagnosed.

The early diagnosis of blood pressure will result in earlier treatment and prevention as per the NICE recommended guidelines, which will save the lives of thousands while also enhancing the quality of their lives. This is the aim of the new changes in the guidelines and to enhance the management and detection of high blood pressure in the next ten years.

Taking these steps for preventing cardiovascular disease is an important step to safeguard their long-term well-being and health.

Concerns Regarding New Recommendations

While these new guidelines will help with the early detection, many experts have raised concerns about unintended harm and over-diagnosis issues of offering prescribed medications to patients when the advantages might be restricted.

They believe that to lower the threshold of hypertension diagnosis, which is a condition that affects a major number of individuals in the country, it is essential to ensure that this decision is evidence-based and not taken lightly.

A major chunk of the population is already suffering from undiagnosed hypertension, which means they are at high risk of a deadly stroke or heart attack. Therefore, it is essential to enhance the diagnosis around the country, but it is also important to make sure that the changes will actually improve the quality of lives of the patients and not put them at more risk.

Low Carb Diet is Putting You at Risk of Atrial Fibrillation

June 11, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

There is no shortage of diets out there and you probably have tried at least one of them. A popular one is the low carb diet such as Ketogenic (Keto) that many follow in hopes of losing weight and staying healthy fast. However, a recent study has suggested that over time a low carb diet can increase the risk of Atrial Fibrillation. Anything done in extreme is never good and while a high amount of carbohydrates is bad for the health, so is too little.

Atrial Fibrillation

This is a disorder in which the rhythm of the heartbeat is affected. In this disorder, the heartbeat of the individual quivers frequently. This happens because the heart is not pumping blood properly, which can cause blood pools and the formation of clots. If any of these blood clots ruptures, it can travel up to the brain causing a stroke.

The Study

According to the study ¹, individuals who consume less than 45% calories from carbohydrates have an 18% higher chance of developing Atrial Fibrillation as compared to individuals who consumed moderate amounts of carbohydrates. The researchers stated that this risk still exists even when those carbohydrates are replaced with protein.

In this study, data from the U.S. National Institutes of Health study was reviewed, which included around 14,000 individuals. None of those individuals had Atrial Fibrillation at the start of the study. However, after 22 years, around 1,900 of those individuals had developed Atrial Fibrillation.

All the individuals filled out a diet-related survey and were divided into high carb, moderate carb, and low carb intake. The findings showed that both high and low carb intake was associated with an increased risk of Atrial Fibrillation and premature deaths.

Possible Causes

While the main aim of this study was to merely find a link rather than a cause and effect, the researchers pointed out that there can be several reasons these negative consequences occur due to the low carb diet.

The low carb diet results in rapid loss of weight, which is achieved by flushing out the fluids from your body. This can lead to dehydration, which is one of the causes of Atrial Fibrillation. Moreover, these diets might also lead to electrolyte abnormalities that affect the rhythm of the heartbeats.

The research also highlighted the fact that in low carb diets, individuals consume fewer amounts of grains, fruits, and vegetables; which are the foods that reduce the inflammation in the body. As a result, individuals on a low carb diet experience a high level of inflammation, which is also associated with Atrial Fibrillation.

What To Do Instead

There are various versions of law carb diets that people follow. Some individuals restrict the consumption of desserts, pastas, and bread which can be good for health. However, some diets call for limiting the consumption of healthy foods like legumes, fruits, and vegetables. This means that they are not getting sufficient amounts of fibre and nutrients.

When it comes to dieting, it is important to follow a well-balanced diet which includes seeds, nuts, legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. The diets which are more plant based reduce the risk of many health issues.

Foods to Avoid When Managing High Blood Pressure

April 16, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

Diet plays a significant role in the development and management of blood pressure. A diet which is higher in calories and fat can lead to obesity which is one of the major risk factors in high blood pressure development. Just as there are foods that can help in controlling and managing blood pressure, there are foods that increase blood pressure.

Hypertension is a disease that can be treated or managed by maintaining a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. If you have hypertension or are at risk of high blood pressure, you can easily modify your diet to prevent the serious consequences of hypertension.

The Culprit

Sodium is the villain for individuals at risk of heart disease or living with hypertension. According to World Health Organization (WHO), individuals living with hypertension should restrict their daily intake of sodium to less than 5mg. However, an average European consumes around 7-12g of sodium every day!

About 75% of consumed salt comes from processed foods and sodium included in meals at cafes, restaurants and other food establishments.

Foods to Avoid

Here are the foods that you must avoid as they play a role in increasing your blood pressure:

1. Canned Beans

For preservation purposes, these canned goods are loaded with sodium. It is best to opt for fresh beans. However, if you want to use canned beans, first, place them in a colander and rinse them thoroughly with water. This will help in washing away most of the sodium.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol consumption has surprisingly found to decrease the risk of heart disease, but of course, there is a catch. It must be done in moderation – one serving a day for women and two servings a day for men. Consumption of more than the recommended servings can lead to dehydration and gradual weight gain – both of these increase blood pressure levels.

3. Bacon

Bacon is also loaded with sodium which can increase the blood pressure. Merely three slices of bacon have 270 mg of sodium and 4.5 grams of fat.

4. Premade Soups

Even with nutritious veggies, premade soups include a high amount of sodium. Unfortunately, while you can rinse off the sodium from canned beans, you can’t do that with premade soup. It is best to make fresh soup or opt for premade soups which have ‘reduced salt’ or ‘low in sodium’ labels on their packaging.

5. Packaged and Processed Meats

These include hot dogs, breakfast sausages and more. Packaged and processed meats are also loaded with sodium and saturated fats, both of which play a major contributing role in hypertension. Avoid the refrigerated section of your grocer and opt for fresh meat instead. Remember, having high blood pressure doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself. It is more about eating smart to keep your body healthy. Opt for the DASH diet, one of the most effective diets in managing and reducing high blood pressure. It includes whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables to ensure you are full and healthy throughout the day.

Doctor Checking Blood Pressure of an Elderly Patient

Controlled Blood Pressure Can Reduce The Risk Of Dementia

April 16, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

Low blood pressure does not necessarily mean stable blood pressure. According to a study, individuals who had suffered a stroke or a heart disease were found to have low blood pressure and were also found to have experienced changes in the brain affecting their memory and cognition. There is a significant link between Alzheimer’s and blood pressure as studies have found that older patients with hypertension or high blood pressure are likely to experience symptoms of Alzheimer’s. A recent study indicated that controlled blood pressure reduces the risk of dementia.

Study

The clinical trial in this study¹conducted by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and reported in the Jan. 28 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicated that controlling the blood pressure in individuals aged 68 and older can decrease the risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) risk, which is a precursor of dementia.

Individuals aged 65 years and up are at increased risk of high blood pressure, which has also been identified as one of the risk factors of dementia and MCI. The study focused on 9,400 participants around the age of 68. These participants were randomly assigned treatments, which can help in maintaining their blood pressure at either 120mm Hg, 140 mm Hg or below.

The Results

All the participants were at risk for heart diseases. The initial aim of the study was to determine whether strict blood pressure goals can help in saving lives. This study was planned to continue for 5 years but concluded early.

This is because within three years of trial, the participants who maintained a 120 systolic blood pressure were leading a healthier life as compared to the participants maintaining a 140 systolic blood pressure.

Moreover, the participants with a 120 systolic reading experienced a 17% decrease in the risk of dementia. While the report stated that this result is not statistically significant, it still provides a strong base for further research. It also indicates that controlled blood pressure can reduce this risk.

Blood Pressure and Dementia

Further research is being conducted now to understand further the link between controlled blood pressure and reduced dementia risk.

The researchers suggested that there are various ways in which the brain health can be influenced by blood pressure. Increased blood pressure levels can cause damage to the brain’s tiny blood vessels, which can further harm the brain tissues. This can also have an impact on the toxic substances amount, which can enter and affect the brain. While this study might not have produced significant evidence proving that controlled blood pressure can decrease the risk of dementia, it has still highlighted the importance of vascular health and cardiovascular disease and their impact on the brain. Further research may provide enough evidence for experts to create guidelines for individuals regarding ways to control blood pressure to decrease dementia risk.

Monitoring Blood Pressure at Home Can Be a Better Alternative Than Checking at Your Doctor

April 16, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

Blood pressure monitoring is one of the most common activities in a medical practice. Patients that have been diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, all require continuous blood pressure monitoring. However, high blood pressure can also be checked at home. In fact, a recent study showed that monitoring blood pressure at home for two days can be a much better alternative to costlier methods of multiple visits to a doctor or clinician.

The Study

The study¹ assessed that performing 20 measurements of blood pressure in two days can offer a stable and reliable representation of the resting diastolic and systolic blood pressure of the patients.

The researchers determined that 10 readings of blood pressure everyday are as statistically representative as 15 readings each day. They believed that an increased frequency of blood pressure reading and decreased duration might offer a more stable and realistic representation of the resting blood pressure of the patients.

The results showed that the reading of 10 blood pressure measurements in 2 days did offer a pragmatic and stable approach towards monitoring blood pressure at home. The results indicated that it can be a better alternative for patients rather than costlier methods of monitoring blood pressure at a clinician or surgery.

Blood Pressure Readings

In order to take the right blood pressure readings at home, it is important that you understand how it works. The blood pressure is taken in two numbers – diastolic (bottom number) and systolic (top number). For example, if you have a 120/80 mm Hg blood pressure, it would be read as 120 over 80.

Aside from this, there are seven classifications of BP and definitions of hypertension, as per the most recent ESH/ESC Guidelines²published in European Heart Journal, Volume 39, Issue 33, 01 September 2018. These categories are:

Category	Systolic (mmHg)	Diastolic (mmHg)
Optimal	<120	<80
Normal	120–129	80–84
High normal	130–139	85–89
Grade 1 hypertension	140–159	90–99
Grade 2 hypertension	160–179	100–109
Grade 3 hypertension	≥180	≥110
Isolated systolic hypertensionb	≥140	<90

Table: Classification of office blood pressure and definitions of hypertension grade

The condition of hypertensive crisis is extremely serious and needs medical attention. If you have a high blood pressure and are experiencing symptoms such as speaking difficulty, vision problems, weakness, numbness, back pain, breathing difficulty, or chest pain then you must immediately call for emergency medical assistance.

The Benefits of Home Monitoring

Monitoring your blood pressure at home has numerous advantages, including enhanced reproducibility, cost effectiveness, and improved tolerance. It is even considered to provide more accurate readings as compared to the blood pressure readings taken in doctor’s offices.

Regular home monitoring helps in reducing the risk of hypertension, and also encourages patients to take charge of their health and become more involved in their long-term care, instead of solely relying on a doctor’s visit. Moreover, it also helps patients to learn to manage their blood pressure by adapting a healthier lifestyle, thereby enhancing their overall health.

Luke Perry’s Unfortunate Demise Indicates Stroke is Not Just a Concern for Elderly

April 16, 2019/in Medical /by Marie Antoine

Many assume that a stroke happens among the elderly. However, the recent death of Luke Perry, at the age of 52, has come as a strong reminder that stroke can happen to younger individuals too. A stroke occurs when there is a disruption in the flow of blood to your brain. It can be caused by either internal bleeding or a blood clot. Around 10% of the strokes that happen every year in the Europe strike individuals who are less than 50 years of age.

Stroke Cases

While stroke typically affects the elderly population, it certainly doesn’t mean it can’t affect individuals of other age groups. According to experts, stroke can affect not just middle-aged individuals but also young adults in their 20s and 30s, and even children. Evidence has suggested that there has been an increase in the rate of stroke cases amongst the younger population in the recent years.

According to the Burden Of Stroke Report, launched in the EU Parliament by Stroke Alliance for Europe, about 85% of stroke cases are ischemic strokes, when a clot stops the blood from flowing to the brain. Generally, the risk of a stroke increases with age, 15% cases of ischemic stroke occur in adolescents and young adults.

Risk Factors and Causes of Stroke

The risk factors that can increase your chances of experiencing a stroke includes:

Obesity
High cholesterol
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Smoking
Cardiovascular diseases

Some potential causes of stroke include:

Arterial Dissection – an artery lining tears and gets separated from the vessel wall. This results in the formation of a blood clot at the location of the tear, which makes its way to the brain, blocking the blood flow.
Hole in Heart – when an infant takes its first ever breath, the passageway between the heart’s right and left side should close. In certain cases, that passageway stays open leaving a hole. This hole can increase the chances of a stroke in future.
Clotting of Blood – in some individuals, due to some genetic mutation, blood clots are formed, which can make their way to their brain, stopping the flow of blood.
Rhythm Disturbance or Heart Defect – a structural defect in the heart can be caused by various factors, including a previous heart attack. This can lead to the formation of clots in the heart, which can travel to the brain.
Narrowing of Artery – this can be caused by certain drugs and can block the blood flow in the brain.
Arteriovenous Malformation – this happens when there is a formation of a tangle of blood vessels with abnormal connections between arteries and veins which prevents the blood from flowing in the brain.

There are various signs that indicate that an individual is having a stroke, including speech difficulties, arm weakness, and face drooping. It is essential to take the right measures to prevent stroke like restricting smoking and intake of alcohol, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight and diet.