Stroke Prevention

Another wonderful person just became a stroke victim.  It always takes me by surprise when this happens.  Did you know that up to 80% of strokes can be prevented?

Strokes can happen to anyone regardless of age, and it can happen at any time.  A stroke is a brain attack.  What happens is that an area of the brain is cut off from blood flow.  What happens after the stroke, and how the individual is affected depends on how much of the brain was damaged and where in the brain the stroke occurred.

Often we associate strokes with aging as they are more likely to happen after the age of fifty-five, but as noted above, up to 80% of strokes can be prevented.  Right now, to help prevent a stroke later in life, there are three things any of us can do to actively lessen our risk for having a stroke.

First, consider your weight.  Shedding some pounds is one of the most important ways to reduce stroke risk.  Being overweight affects many parts of your body.  Not only joint pain increases with weight gain, but it can cause high blood pressure and attributes to the risk of diabetes.  Both high blood pressure and diabetes are risk factors for a stroke.  Losing weight should be a priority.

Second, if you enjoy alcohol, consider drinking red wine.  Because it contains resveratrol, studies show it can help protect both the brain and heart.  Keep in mind that one-drink a day is the measure for lowering your risk for developing other conditions.

Third, stop smoking.  Smoking is a major stroke risk factor.  Smoking doubles the chance of a person having a stroke compared to a non-smoker.  Smoking leads to plaque buildup in your arteries and clot formation.

If you do have a stroke, know that an average of one-third of stroke victims recover completely.  For the remaining stroke victims, they may have to deal with some sort of disability for the rest of their life.

One of the ideal ways for a person who has survived a stroke is to recover with in home care.  Home care professionals can assist with the activities of daily living and make what feels impossible, possible.

Learn more about strokes at:

http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/preventing-stroke/lifestyle-risk-factors

Ramona Hunt, M.S.

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