Five Stroke Prevention Tips to Keep You Healthy
Five Stroke Prevention Tips to Keep You Healthy
It’s estimated that someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds and that someone dies of a stroke every 3½ minutes. Strokes remain a leading cause of death and long-term disability for many Americans. Strokes can happen quickly and unexpectedly, and many people don’t heed the warning signs until too late. The sooner you can seek urgent medical care for a stroke, the greater your chances of survival. Sponsored by the National Stroke Association, May is National Stroke Awareness Month. It’s a time to raise awareness and increase what you know about strokes since they often lead to brain damage, paralysis, and death. Below, Pegalis Law Group, LLC examines five helpful stroke prevention tips to keep you and your loved ones healthy this year and beyond.
1. Maintain a Healthy Weight & Get Regular Exercise
Many strokes could be prevented by making healthier lifestyle decisions, such as choosing healthier foods and drinks, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Obesity is often linked with a greater risk of stroke. Getting exercise can help you remain in a healthy weight range. You don’t necessarily have to exercise daily – getting at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week should be your goal. Try taking a brisk walk or bicycle ride through the neighborhood or going for a swim a few nights a week.
2. Keep an Eye on Your Cholesterol & Blood Pressure
You should check your cholesterol at least every five years. Depending on your personal or medical history, you may want to check it more often. High cholesterol or blood pressure can put you at a greater risk for stroke. Medication may help you manage both better, as can eating a low-cholesterol, low-sodium diet. Sometimes stress is linked to high blood pressure. Putting stress on your body makes your heart work harder to pump blood, which can also increase your stroke risk.
3. Don’t Smoke & Limit Your Alcohol Consumption
Smokers are at an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, and other medical conditions. If you don’t smoke, please don’t start. If you are a smoker, talk to your doctor for suggestions on the best ways to quit smoking. Drinking too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure, which can also put you at a greater stroke risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests no more than two alcoholic drinks per day for men and no more than one alcoholic drink per day for women.
4. Control Your Diabetes & Check Your Blood Sugar Levels
If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels regularly. Keeping your blood sugar levels under control is essential to lowering your stroke risk. High blood sugar levels can gradually damage your body’s blood vessels, causing blood clots that could lead to a stroke. Making healthier food choices and increasing your physical activity can help keep your diabetes under better control.
5. Follow Your Healthcare Team’s Advice & Take Your Medications
Working with your healthcare team can help you prevent strokes and other illnesses. If you’re on medications to lower your cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood sugar levels, take them as recommended. Don’t be afraid to discuss your treatment plan during doctor’s appointments. Ask questions if there’s anything you don’t understand. If you’ve had a stroke, making healthier lifestyle choices and listening to your doctor can help protect you from having further strokes.
Recognize These Warning Signs of a Stroke & Take Action
One out of every six people will experience a stroke within their lifetime. Being treated for a stroke within an hour of exhibiting symptoms can reduce the toll taken on your body. Common stroke symptoms include sudden numbness in the face, arm, or leg (usually on one side of your body), difficulty speaking or understanding speech, trouble walking, blurred or double vision, fatigue, lightheadedness, vertigo, problems with coordination, loss of balance or vision, mental confusion, headaches, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness or paralysis. If you experience these tell-tale stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical care.
Encouraging More Proactive Patients for 50+ Years
As a New York-based personal injury and medical malpractice law firm, Pegalis Law Group, LLC commits to creating more proactive patients. Please visit our website and follow us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to receive more insights to keep you and your loved ones healthy this year.