Baseball's Puckett Dies After a Stroke

March 7, 2006 -- Former baseball player Kirby Puckett has died at age 45 after suffering a stroke on Sunday.

Puckett died on March 6, according to a statement by Puckett's family posted on the web site of Puckett's former team, the Minnesota Twins.

Puckett, a member of baseball's Hall of Fame, led the Minnesota Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. His career was ended by glaucoma, an eye condition in which too much fluid pressure builds up inside the eye. Glaucoma worsens vision and, if untreated, may lead to blindness.

Details about Puckett's stroke weren't available. However, much is known about stroke's risk factors, warning signs, and prevention strategies.

No. 3 Cause of Death

Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in the U.S. Consider these facts from the American Stroke Association:

• Every year, about 700,000 Americans suffer a stroke. That's one stroke every 45 seconds, on average.
• Stroke kills nearly 157,000 people per year. About every three minutes, someone dies of a stroke.

Most strokes happen when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot. Those strokes are called ischemic strokes. More rarely, strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Such strokes are called bleeding strokes or hemorrhagic strokes.

Blacks at Higher Risk

Puckett was black, and blacks have a higher risk of stroke -- and stroke death -- than whites. However, Puckett was only 45, much younger than many stroke patients.

U.S. blacks also have the world's highest prevalence of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke, heart disease, and other health problems.

Some of stroke's risk factors -- such as race and advanced age -- can't be changed. But other risk factors -- including smoking, diabetes, and obesity -- can be managed or prevented. Consult your doctor to gauge your risk and develop a plan to help prevent stroke.

Acting Fast

Stroke drugs may make a big difference, but they must be given within a few hours of stroke's start. That's why it's essential to get emergency medical help at the first sign of possible stroke.

The American Stroke Association lists these possible warning signs of stroke:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Those symptoms may or may not indicate a stroke. Call 911 immediately if those symptoms appear. Don't wait to see if the symptoms pass.