Pay heed to body's signals.

• Position: Warning signs for strokes - Special Newsletter Edition: Your Health

At least one-third of adults are at risk for stroke, a debilitating disease that affects up to 500,000 Americans each year. A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted suddenly. Its devastating effects--from paralysis to loss of speech and memory--make stroke America's leading cause of adult disability and third leading cause of death. Yet, many people don't realize that a full stroke often can be prevented if they listen to their bodies.

Many times, strokes are preceded by a "mini-stroke" or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA typically lasts less than five minutes and does not cause permanent damage, but should not be ignored. Thirty-six percent of those who experience a TIA will go on to have a full stroke--half of them within a year. Warning signs that a TIA is occurring include sudden, blurred vision in one or both eyes; numbness of an arm, leg, or side of the body; difficulty speaking or understanding language; problems in swallowing; and loss of balance.

Clearly, a TIA is a serious health concern. It also can be the wakeup call to intervene and prevent a more serious, and possibly deadly, full stroke. Just as research has proven that aspirin, when used under a physician's supervision, can help prevent a second heart attack, studies also support its use to help prevent recurrent stroke..

Ischemic strokes are similar to heart attacks in that they result from clots that block blood vessels. By reducing the tendency of blood platelets to clot, aspirin allows blood to flow more freely throughout the body...