While a Stroke can happen to anyone, there are some lifestyle modifications that can lower the chances of it happening to you. If you start feeling a sudden numbness, tingling, and loss of movement, or if you start having trouble speaking or walking, you may be experiencing a stroke. Once you get to this point, it’s already too late. You don’t have to leave it everything up to chance, though. It is possible to get proactive about your health and minimize your risk.
Control Your Blood Pressure
One of the biggest things you can do to decrease the likelihood of a stroke is to control your Blood Pressure. A healthy blood pressure, lower than 120/80, can drop your risk by about 50%. There are a number of things you can do to keep everything under control, and while it may require some real lifestyle changes, the long-term benefits will be worth it.
Exercise
Exercising regularly strengthens the heart and lowers blood pressure. In addition, exercise lowers the chances for developing diabetes and high cholesterol which are both risk factors for having a stroke. This means that through exercise you can keep these two health issues at bay and in turn prevent a stroke.
Stop Smoking
Smokers are more likely to have strokes. Studies have shown that after you have quit smoking for two years, the risk decrease dramatically. Each time you smoke you are causing damage to the cardiovascular system and build up a fatty substance in the carotid artery, which is what transports blood to the brain. This blockage is the leading cause of stroke in America, so it is important to stop as soon as possible.
Watch your Weight
Gaining too much weight can increase your chances of a stroke. In fact, studies have shown that by gaining even 22 pounds after the age of 18 could impact your health and increase your risks. It is important to keep your weight down through proper exercise and a healthy diet.
Medication
If you have suffered from a previous stroke, you need do everything you can to prevent a second one from happening. There are some medications that doctors can prescribe to help lower the chances of a repeat visit. Antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants help prevent blood clots from forming so they can’t cause a stroke.
Limit Alcohol
Heavy alcohol intake can raise blood pressure. Drinking more than two drinks a day can increase stroke risks because alcohol can also harden arteries and potentially cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Diet
Eating right can be extremely beneficial. A diet high in saturated fat is not good for cardiovascular health and can raise your cholesterol level. Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake can help maintain a healthy weight and keep your heart healthy.
For more information and some specific details on the symptoms of a stroke and how to prevent one, be sure to consult:
http://www.webmd.com/stroke/tc/stroke-topic-overview
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stroke/DS00150/DSECTION=causes
