"274 attack (TIA) — can also raise your stroke risk. Avoiding smoking and drinking too much alcohol, eating a balanced diet, and getting exercise are all choices you can make to reduce your risk. Common Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms 3. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg — especially on one side of the body. 4. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. 5. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. 6. Sudden troub le walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. 7. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. Figure 3. Stroke Death Rates Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. F or some people, the first sign of CAD is a heart attack. Therefore, taking steps to reduce your risk for CAD is essential. Research suggests that CAD (also referred to as coronary heart disease, abbreviated CHD) starts when certain factors damage the inner layers of the coronary arteries. These factors include: • Smoking • High levels of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood • High blood pressure • High levels of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes Causes of CAD"