4 Ways to Prevent a Stroke and How to Act FAST
With approximately 800,000 Americans having a stroke each year, it’s no surprise that stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. To put this into perspective, someone in the United States gets a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies from a stroke every 4 minutes.
You can’t turn back the clock or change your family history, but you can control many other stroke risk factors if you’re aware of them. Power comes from knowledge. If you are aware that a particular risk factor is jeopardizing your health and exposing you to a higher risk of stroke, you can take steps to mitigate those risks.
Whether you want to live a more heart-healthy lifestyle or specifically minimize your risk of stroke, making modifications to your food, exercise habits, and lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on stroke prevention.
How to Prevent Stroke
Exercise 30 Minutes a Day
Physical activity is an important lifestyle factor in stroke prevention. To “balance the substantial health hazards of being inactive,” the American Stroke Association suggests at least 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise every week, as well as taking movement breaks during the workday. The important thing is that you exercise on a regular basis, regardless of whether you walk, dance, ride a bike, or swim.
Heart- Healthy Diet
The more you choose fresh meals over prepackaged foods that are high in preservatives, the more likely you are to have a positive impact on your heart health. Reducing your consumption of foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium, in particular, can help you lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, both of which contribute to heart disease and stroke. This can include replacing fried chicken with baked chicken, canola oil with olive oil, and bacon or sausage with turkey bacon turkey patties, or veggie strips.
Improve your Mental Health
Although it is not often discussed, adopting effective stress management and getting enough sleep (between 7-9 hours) can also play a significant role in lowering your risk of stroke. The American Stroke Association has dedicated a portion of its website to encourage people who wish to live more heart-healthy lifestyles to embrace techniques that benefit their emotional well-being, such as reducing stress through meditation and developing better sleeping habits.
Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol
It should come as no surprise that smoking cigarettes are damaging to your heart health. In reality, research has shown that smoking both cigarettes and e-cigarettes significantly increases the risk of stroke compared to nonsmokers. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on your health; hence, limiting your alcohol intake (no more than one drink per day for women and two for men) is also vital for your health if you want to avoid a stroke.
How to Identify a Stroke F-A-S-T
Too many people disregard the symptoms of a stroke because they doubt their symptoms are real. “My opinion is that if you have any strange symptoms, don’t wait,” Dr. Rost says. Pay attention to your body and follow your instincts. If you see anything out of the ordinary, seek expert assistance straight once.”
American Stroke Association has developed an easy-to-remember acronym to help you remember and respond to the indicators of a stroke. Cut out this image and stick it on your refrigerator as a reminder.
How Can Thrive USA Homecare Help After a Stroke?
If your loved one has suffered a stroke and you want qualified caregiving assistance, know that Thrive USA is here to help. Our caregivers provide services in the privacy of their own homes. Your loved ones will be more comfortable and heal faster if they recover at home with services such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, skilled nursing, personal care services, and homemaking needs. Just give us a call at (301) 882-4717 or visit https://www.thriveusahomecare.com/ to learn more about our complete in-home health services.