Our friends at Carillon Sports & Family Medicine published the following in their newsletter and we wanted to share it with you.
Over the course of the year, 795,000 strokes will occur, an average of one stroke every 40 seconds, taking a life approximately every four minutes. In the United States strokes kill 133,000 people and are a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disabilities. Listed below are guidelines you can use to decrease your stroke risk.
Know your blood pressure —high blood pressure is a major stroke risk if left untreated. Have your blood pressure checked yearly by a health care professional.
Identify atrial fibrillation (Afib)—Afib is an abnormal heart beat that can increase stroke risk by 500%. Afib can cause blood to pool in the heart which may form a clot and cause a stroke. A health care provider must diagnose and treat Afib.
Stop smoking—Smoking doubles the risk of stroke. It damages blood vessel walls, clogs up arteries, raises blood pressure and makes the heart work harder. Stopping smoking today will immediately begin to decrease stroke risk.
Control alcohol use—Alcohol has been linked to stroke in many studies. Most health care providers recommend not drinking or drinking only in moderation. Remember that alcohol can negatively interact with other drugs you are taking.
Know present cholesterol levels—Cholesterol is a fatty substance in blood that is made by the body. It also comes in food. High cholesterol levels can clog arteries and cause a stroke. See your health care provider annually to have cholesterol levels checked.
Control diabetes—Many people with diabetes have health problems that are also stroke risk factors. Work with your health care provider to develop a nutrition program, to implement lifestyle changes and to prescribe medications to help control your diabetes.
Manage exercise and diet—Excess weight strains the circulatory system. Exercise five days per week. Maintain a diet low in calories, salt, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
Many risk factors for having a stroke are beyond your control. These include age over 55, male gender, African-American ethnicity and family history of stroke. If you have one or more of these risk factors, it is very important that you learn about lifestyle factors that can be modified and follow a medical plan of care to greatly reduce the possibility of future stroke. Lifestyle factors that increase your risk of stroke include smoking, being overweight and drinking too much alcohol. Anyone at increased risk for stroke should see a medical provider at least annually to have the necessary screenings, treatment and follow up.