A stroke occurs when there is a problem with blood flow to a portion of the brain. This can occur as a result of brain hemorrhage or clogged blood arteries. Strokes are a potentially fatal emergency, and getting medical help right away is essential to avoiding death or serious injury.
Strokes affect hundreds of thousands of individuals every year. The good news is that many of these strokes can be avoided. The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA) have published revised guidelines that offer new information on how lifestyle modifications and preventative actions can significantly lower the risk of stroke.
Signs of Stroke
People neglect the warning signals of a stroke because they doubt the veracity of their symptoms. If you have any strange symptoms, don’t wait. Pay attention to your body and follow your gut. See a professional as soon as something seems strange.
A stroke’s warning signs include:
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Facial numbness
- Intense headache
- Blurred vision
- Tingling and numbness
- Unstable walk
Here are some strategies to begin reducing your risk of stroke now, before it has a chance to happen.
Reduce your blood pressure
One major contributing factor is high blood pressure, which, if left unchecked, can double or even quadruple your risk of stroke. The biggest change people can make to their vascular health is likely to be keeping an eye on their blood pressure and, if it is elevated, taking appropriate action.
Reduce your body weight
Your risk of having a stroke is increased by obesity and its associated comorbidities, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Losing just 10 pounds, or roughly 4.54 kilogrammes, can significantly reduce your risk of stroke if you are overweight.
Increase your exercise
Exercise not only lowers blood pressure and helps people lose weight, but it also reduces stroke risk on its own. Get at least five days of moderate exercise per week. Exercise in short bursts of 10 to 15 minutes several times a day if you don’t have 30 minutes to spare.
Quit smoking
Smoking has two distinct ways of speeding up the production of clots. It causes your blood to thicken and increases the amount of plaque that accumulates in your arteries. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective lifestyle changes that can help you drastically lower your risk of stroke, along with eating a balanced diet and doing regular exercise.
Pay attention to your diet
A healthy, well-balanced diet can help you reduce weight and improve other conditions that may increase your risk of stroke. Cutting back on sodium may help lower blood pressure. Also, your cholesterol may go down if you eat more heart-healthy fats, such as fish and heart-healthy oils. Meanwhile, reducing processed carbohydrates and added sugar can help you better control your blood sugar levels. Your health can be greatly impacted by making small adjustments to what you eat.
