A stroke is a medical emergency. Recognizing a stroke and calling for an ambulance is crucial. The sooner someone who's had a stroke gets urgent medical attention, the better their chances of a good recovery. Use this guide to find out more about stroke and TIA, and what you can do.

ALL YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT DEALING WITH A STROKE »

Siteman Cancer Center

stroke affects millions of american men and women, and it can lead to disability and death. many strokes are preventable, and there are important steps you can take to lower your risk.

this interactive tool estimates your risk of stroke and provides personalized tips for prevention. anyone can use it, but it's most accurate for people who have never had a stroke, a transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke), or heart disease. if you have any of these conditions, be sure to talk to your doctor about your risk.

to estimate your risk of stroke and learn about ways to lower that risk, take a few minutes to answer some questions about your health, background, and lifestyle. your disease risk can't tell you if you'll have a stroke or not, but it can tell you where to focus your prevention efforts because the best way to fight stroke is to stop it before it starts!