Overview ; Sex — Men have a higher risk of stroke than do women. Women are usually older when they have strokes, and they're more likely to die of strokes than are men. ; Loss of muscle movement, known as paralysis. You may become paralyzed on one side of the body. Or you may lose control of certain muscles, such as those on one side of the face or one arm. ; Control high blood pressure, known as hypertension. This is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your stroke risk. If you've had a stroke, lowering your blood pressure can help prevent a TIA or stroke in the future. Healthy lifestyle changes and medicines often are used to treat high blood pressure.
Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to: Investigate intestinal signs and symptoms. A colonoscopy can help your doctor explore possible causes of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, chronic diarrhea and other intestinal problems. Screen for colon cancer. If you're age 45 or older and at average risk of colon cancer — you have no colon cancer risk factors other than age — your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years. If you have other risk factors, your doctor may recommend a screen...
Daily aspirin therapy may be used in two ways: ; Don't start taking a daily aspirin without talking to your health care provider. Taking an occasional aspirin or two is usually safe for most adults to use for headaches, body aches or fever. But daily use of aspirin can have serious side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding. ; Talk to your health care provider about the pros and cons of daily aspirin therapy. Together you can discuss whether an aspirin a day might help prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Physical exam and tests. Your healthcare professional performs a physical exam and a neurological exam. Tests of your vision, eye movements, speech and language, strength, reflexes, and sensory system are included. Your healthcare professional may use a stethoscope to listen to the carotid artery in your neck. During this exam, a whooshing sound called a bruit may mean that you have atherosclerosis. Or your healthcare professional may use an ophthalmoscope. This instrument looks for cholesterol ...
Request an Appointment ; About · Doctors & Departments · Care at Mayo Clinic
Tests to diagnose atrial fibrillation (AFib) may include: Blood tests. Blood tests are done to look for health conditions or substances that may affect the heart or heartbeat. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick and painless test measures the electrical activity of the heart. Sticky patches called electrodes are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. Wires connect the electrodes to a computer, which prints or displays the test results. An ECG can show the heart rhythm and ho...
Yet another tender bruise. You don't recall bumping into anything, but lately you seem to be bruising frequently. Is this cause for concern? · Easy bruising is common with age. Most bruises are harmless and go away without treatment. However, easy bruising can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem. Most bruises form when small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury — often on the arms or legs. When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a dark ma ...
Request an Appointment ; Symptoms & causes · Diagnosis & treatment · Doctors & departments
A stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked. It is a medical emergency, because blood carries oxygen, and brain cells begin to die within a few minutes without it. ; Strokes can occur at any age, but stroke risk increases as you get older. ; While not every stroke can be prevented, there are many steps you can take to reduce your risk.
Diagnosis ; Severe cases of hemophilia usually are diagnosed within the first year of life. Mild forms might not be apparent until adulthood. Some people learn they have hemophilia after they bleed excessively during a surgical procedure. Clotting-factor tests can reveal a clotting-factor deficiency and determine how severe the hemophilia is. For people with a family history of hemophilia, genetic testing might be used to identify carriers to make informed decisions about becoming pregnant. ...