Stroke (acute cerebrovascular accident) is one of the most common neurological diseases. More than 6 million people die from this disease in the world every year. About 80% of people who have suffered a stroke become disabled; almost a third of them subsequently require constant care.
With a stroke, some of the brain cells get deprived of access to blood, losing the ability to receive oxygen and nutrients, and die. As a result, disorders of speech, vision, motor functions, memory, and thinking develop. In the absence of urgent medical attention, the likelihood of death is very high.
Risk Factors
Some people are more prone to get strokes than others; this means that they are at higher risk. The risk factors for stroke are:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Atherosclerosis
- Heart disease
- Blood disorders (high viscosity)
- Bad habits (overeating, smoking, alcohol intake)
- Old age
We will mention some tips for the prevention of stroke to minimize the impact of each of these factors on health.
Tips To Prevent Stroke
Here is how you can prevent a stroke:
1. Control Your Blood Pressure
People with arterial hypertension are especially frequent victims of strokes. They have cerebral hemorrhages (hemorrhagic strokes). Moreover, there are two possible scenarios for the development of events: either one of the cerebral vessels bursts of blood seeps through its wall into the surrounding tissues for some time.
In any case, high blood pressure (or pressure surges) plays a major role in this process. And for hypertensive patients, it is very important to keep the situation under control and regularly take medications prescribed by the doctor to help maintain blood pressure at an optimal level.
At the initial stage, hypertension often develops asymptomatically or manifests itself in the form of symptoms (headache, dizziness, drowsiness), which are similar to that of ordinary fatigue. Ignoring the primary symptoms of the disease can lead to hemorrhagic stroke at a young age.
2. Adopt A Healthy Lifestyle
In order to prevent stroke, you should lead a healthy lifestyle. Smoking and alcohol abuse are no less dangerous than problems with blood pressure or metabolism. So focus on your well-being and give up these bad habits.
You might need special assistance to abandon alcohol; however, for smokers, switching to vape might help minimize the harm of cigarettes. Along with the reduction of smoke, vaping liquids are available in different flavors and at affordable prices that can help smokers enjoy the experience.
For example, you can get vape liquid in one pound, and even this £1 liquid is available in different flavors. So do not delay any further and throw out your traditional cigarettes. But remember to follow the rule of moderation even when vaping.
3. Lower Your Cholesterol Levels
Most strokes occur when the arteries in the brain narrow or become completely blocked (ischemic stroke). The reason is cholesterol plaque deposited on the walls of blood vessels. It is necessary to adhere to a diet that involves limiting fat intake, to minimize the likelihood of illness,
However, it should be borne in mind that not all fats are harmful to the body (for example, polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are very useful). People over 50 are advised to periodically donate blood for a cholesterol test so the problem can be identified timely.
4. Regular Heart Check-Ups
Any violation of cardiac activity (rhythm failure, tachycardia, ischemia, etc.) creates an increased load on the walls of the vessels of the brain and increases the likelihood of a stroke. An important factor in prevention is heart checkups. Regular ECGs, adherence to bed rest for influenza and SARS, systematic physical activity significantly reduce the risk of stroke.
5. Maintaining Normal Body Weight
For people prone to gaining excess weight, the risk of metabolic disorders is very high. Obesity often results in diabetes mellitus, vascular sclerotization, and changes in the rheological properties of blood. If a person with significant excess weight does not try to reduce it, problems with cerebral circulation are very likely.
6. Prevention Of Diabetes Mellitus
According to statistics, the presence of diabetes mellitus increases the risk of stroke by 2.5 times. This is not surprising as people with diabetes often experience heart failure, excess weight, and poor vascular walls. In addition, when carbohydrate metabolism gets disturbed, the rate of excretion of water from the body increases.
It increases the density of the blood. In order to avoid the development of a stroke, it is necessary to monitor the diet, limit the intake of fast carbohydrates and control the level of glucose in the blood. This you can do by periodically passing the appropriate tests.
7. Stress Management
At the moment of nervous tension, a large amount of adrenaline gets released into the bloodstream. The glucose level rises sharply, the heart begins to work more actively, and blood pressure rises. There is a simultaneous load on the vessels, which can lead to a stroke.
Of course, it is impossible to eliminate stress from life completely, but it is worth learning to control your reaction to stressful situations. People who are prone to nervousness may need to consult a doctor – he/she will recommend some anti-anxiety medications.
8. Organization Of Work And Rest Regime
With the onset of the gardening season, the number of strokes increases. The reason is that summer residents, yearning for their plots, begin to plant and weed vigorously. They forget that their body weaned from physical activity over the winter may not withstand such a radical change.
Besides, some people overburden themselves and try to do everything on their own; this also increases the likelihood of strokes. Thus, organize your work and follow a proper rest regime.
Take Away
A stroke is quite capable of killing a person or significantly reducing the quality of life, not only of the patient himself but also of his entire family. You must remember this and behave responsibly. In case you notice any symptoms of stroke, call your doctor immediately for an appointment.
