Stroke Prevention: what changements in life to reduce risks?
Stroke is the 3rd leading killer of adults in the world, after heart disease and cancer. It is also the leading cause of physical disability and the second leading cause of mental disability after Alzheimer’s disease. More than 17 millions of poeple die of CVDs, particularly heart attacks and strokes, every year.
What is a stroke?
Stroke is a condition where the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, resulting in oxygen starvation, brain damage and loss of function. It is most frequently caused by a clot in an artery supplying blood to the brain, a situation known as ischemia. It can also be caused by hemorrhage when a burst vessel causes blood to leak into the brain. Stroke can cause permanent damage, including partial paralysis and impairment in speech, comprehension and memory. The extent and location of the damage determines the severity of the stroke, which can range from minimal to catastrophic.
What measures to reduce the risks of stroke
The best thing you can do to prevent a stroke is identify your risk factors for stroke, and target those you can control or treat. Your healthcare professional can help you identify risk factors you can take action on and develop a plan that you can implement.
You can implement a lot of changement in your life; not only for reducing your risks of stroke but also for improving your general state of Health.
Quit cigarette and avoid the smoke from others
5 to 15 years after quitting (depending on the number of cigarettes smoked and the number of years of smoking); You will come back to the same level of risk of someone who has never smocked.
Drink alcohol in moderation
Limit your consumption to 1 or 2 drinks per day. A maximum of 14 per week if you are a man, or 9 per week, if you are a woman.
Do exercise and move as much as possible
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. You could simply take advantage ofyour lunch to go for a short walk.
If you are not used to practice a physical activity consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Target a healthy weight and maintain it
Discuss with a doctor in order to find out the ideal diet plan and exercise that could help you to reach your goal.
Test your cholesterol LDL level every 3 years, if you are at risk for heart attack or heart disease or you have a family history of either you should check more often.
Manage your stress
find out the reasons of your stress and strategies that will allow you to overcome it. In order to reduce your stress, thing about ways to simplify your life. Some people find through yoga, meditation and deep breath techniques, a way to reduce the effect of the stress on their body. You have maybe to try several methode before finding the one that suites you.
Be informed of what is in your medication
Some natural health products and medications can produce a raise of arterial pressure and the risk of stroke. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking a new drug.
What are the indicators that have to be monitored ?
Numerous health issues are likely to raise the risks of stroke, keep an eye on the following indicators.
- Watch out your arterial pressure. If your pressure is high , join forces with healthcare professionals to stabilize it.
- find out if you have high cholesterol. If so, work with healthcare professionals to lower it.
- Collaborate with health professionals to balance your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.
the general order advices above are only given for informative purpose. Please get close to a professional health before implementing any of it.
