Do you know your risk of stroke?
Grand Opening in Bay Ridge
The Vein Center of the Vascular Institute of the New York
Serving the community since 1989
Dr. Natalie Marks:
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine
New York University
Board Certifi ed, Vascular Medicine
Treatment of varicose veins, blood clots,
leg swelling, leg pain, wounds, aneurysms,
stroke prevention.
718-836-3333
9920 – 4th Ave., Suite 303
Brooklyn, NY 11209
52 COURIER LIFE, MAY 3–9, 2019 M BR B G
NATALIE MARKS, MD
DIRECTOR OF THE VEIN CENTER
Health
Taking the time to answer
a few questions may help
to reduce your risk of
stroke. Stroke is the number
three cause of death of Americans
and is a leading cause of
disability.
This year, it will strike
700,000 Americans of all
ages, genders and ethnicities.
A member of your family, a
friend or neighbor — or even
you — could be a victim.
Many Americans are not
aware of their stroke risk factors,
many of which can be
prevented or controlled. You
can start to take control by
knowing what factors put you
at risk. Check all that apply to
you.
• Age: For every decade
after age 55, your chance of
stroke doubles.
• Family history: Your
mother, father, sister, brother
or grandparent had a stroke,
or your father or brother had
a heart attack before age 55,
or your mother or sister had a
heart attack before age 65.
• Previous stroke or transient
ischemic attack: You
have had a stroke or transient
ischemic attack (“ministroke”).
• Blood pressure: Your blood
pressure is 140/90 mm Hg or
higher (high blood pressure),
a healthcare professional has
said your blood pressure is
high, your blood pressure is
120/80 to 139/89 mm Hg (prehypertension),
or you don’t
know what your blood pressure
is.
• Tobacco smoke: You
smoke, live, or work with people
who smoke tobacco regularly.
• Diabetes: You have diabetes
(a fasting blood sugar reading
of 126 mg/dL or higher),
you need medicine
to control your blood
sugar, or you have been told
you have an impaired ability
to control your blood sugar (a
fasting blood sugar reading
greater than 100 mg/dL).
• Total cholesterol: Your
cholesterol is 240 mg/dL or
higher, or you don’t know your
level.
• HDL cholesterol: Your
HDL — or “good” cholesterol
— is less than 40 mg/dL, or
you don’t know your HDL cholesterol
levels.
• Physical activity: Your
physical activity level is less
than a total of 30 minutes on
most days.
• Carotid or other artery
disease: You have been told
you have disease in the carotid
arteries (the blood vessels
that supply blood to the
brain) or you have peripheral
artery disease (primarily affects
blood vessels of the legs).
• Certain blood disorders:
You have been told you have
a high red blood cell count or
sickle cell disease (also called
sickle cell anemia).
• Atrial fi brillation: You
have a heart rhythm disorder
called atrial fi brillation.
• Other heart disease: You
have coronary heart disease
or other heart condition(s), or
you have had a heart attack.
If one or more of these
choices apply to you, studies
show you are at increased risk
for stroke. See a healthcare
provider for a complete assessment
of your risks.
To learn more, call, toll
free, (888) 4-STROKE or visit
www.StrokeAssociation.org.
Taking the time to answer a few questions may help to reduce your risk
of stroke.
/www.StrokeAssociation.org
/www.StrokeAssociation.org