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Strokes are medical emergencies and treatment needs to begin immediately. Depending on the type of stroke, treatment may include medicines (such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or anticoagulants/antiplatelets) and procedures (such as carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery angioplasty). Surgery—such as aneurysm clipping and coil embolization or arteriovenous malformation repair—may be needed to treat a hemorrhagic stroke. Making lifestyle changes can help treat and control risk factors for a stroke.

Treatment depends on the type of cardiomyopathy you have, the severity of your symptoms and complications, and your age and overall health. Treatments may include heart-healthy lifestyle changes, medicines, nonsurgical procedures, and surgery and implanted devices.

DASH is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life.

Risk factors for overweight and obesity include having unhealthy lifestyle habits such as lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating behaviors, not getting enough sleep, having high amounts of stress; being a certain age; living in unhealthy environments, having a family history; being a certain race or ethnicity; or being a certain sex.

You may have an increased risk for high blood cholesterol because of your age, your family history and genetics, and your race.

If you have known risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm, your doctor may recommend screening. To screen for an aortic aneurysm, your doctor may recommend an imaging study to look at and measure the aorta. An aneurysm can develop and grow without any symptoms until it ruptures or dissects—events that are both life-threatening. If the aneurysm is found early, treatment or surgery may slow its growth and prevent rupture or dissection.

Your doctor may use diagnostic tests or procedures before CABG to determine how serious your ischemic heart disease is and where the coronary arteries are narrowed. If you need CABG, talk to your doctor about how to prepare for the procedure.

The exact cause of asthma is unknown, and the causes may vary from person to person. However, asthma is often the result of a strong response of the immune system to an allergen in the environment.

If you have been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, it is important to follow your treatment plan, make healthy lifestyle changes, and get mental health support. Learn how to prevent or reduce complications in the future. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, discuss the possible risks with your doctor.

The respiratory system helps you breathe. The main parts of the respiratory system are the lungs, the airways, and the muscles that enable breathing. The circulatory system, which is made up of the heart, veins, arteries, and capillaries, brings blood to and from the lungs and delivers nutrients and oxygen to tissues of the body while removing carbon dioxide and waste products. Other body systems that work with the respiratory system include the nervous system, lymph system, and immune system.