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Pay attention to warning signs
Prevent the stroke and act immediately in an emergency - we reveal all the facts about the heart attack in our heads.
Each year, around 250, 000 people suffer a stroke and more than 60, 000 die from it. Even superstars do not stop life-threatening dysfunction in the brain: the latest prominent examples are Scottish singer Amy MacDonald (25) and "Malcolm in the middle" star Frankie Muniz (26) .
It is now known that stress is a major cause of stroke. Especially stars usually have no regular rhythm of life and rush from event to event, a stressful everyday life is quite normal for many celebrities.
But what actually happened during the stroke? In most cases, life-threatening brain dysfunction occurs because an important vessel is blocked by a blood clot or other debris. In about 20 percent of those affected bleeding destroys the sensitive brain tissue. The stronger and longer the seizure, the more nerve cells die and the more serious the consequences: around two-thirds of the patients are more or less severely handicapped.
Stroke is an old-age disease that usually occurs beyond the age of 60. But beware: Younger people are not protected from it. About ten percent of stroke hits people under 40. In general, the unhealthier the lifestyle, the higher the risk.
A stressful life, obesity, smoking and lack of exercise often lead to hypertension, diabetes and elevated cholesterol levels and so load the vessels enormously. In the long term, they calcify (arteriosclerosis), and the danger grows that it comes to constipation. Other risk factors: heredity and certain heart diseases such as atrial fibrillation. Depression and the snoring disease sleep apnea are also suspected.
Which stars have ever suffered a stroke and what you still need to know about the subject of stroke, we reveal in our picture gallery.
