7 Tips to prevent a stroke

7 Tips to prevent a stroke

Certain risk factors can increase your chances of having a stroke. If you have identified personal risk factors, work with your healthcare provider to reduce your personal risk. Prevent stroke happening to you or others by following these guidelines:

Lower your blood pressure

High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for strokes so this is one of the most important things you can do to. Take meds if prescribed by your doctor, but it’s just as crucial to eat a healthier diet that is low in salt.

Walk 20 minutes a day. We know—you work, you have kids, errands to run, dinner to make, so you barely have time to pee, let alone take 20 uninterrupted minutes to walk. Make the time. Even if you break it up into two 10-minute sessions, it's worth it

Don’t smoke or expose yourself to second-hand smoke. The evidence is overwhelming that cigarette smoking and second-hand exposure to smoke increases the risks of heart disease, lung disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke.
Make better eating choices
Cut your intake of saturated fats, sodium, soft drinks and alcohol. Eat more fruits and veggies, especially greens. Be more concerned about the quality and nutritional value of what you eat than the calorie count. Other good choices are whole grains rather than processed ones, fat-free or low fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish and beans
Reduce stress. Stress contributes to cardiovascular disease and, if severe, can cause a heart attack or sudden death. There are plenty of options that help reduce stress, such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, striving for a good marriage, laughing, volunteering or attending religious services. Watching TV generally does not relieve, but can aggravate stress. Also, try to avoid situations and people who make you anxious or angry.
Maintain a healthy weight
Obesity is one of the major risk factors for stroke and tends to be part of an unhealthy overall lifestyle that includes smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, poor diet and lack of exercise.
Be more physically active
Start small if you have to but adding more physical activity to your life will help you lose weight, feel better and be at less risk for strokes. If you’ve been living a sedentary life for a long time, start with taking walks every day. This will help you build your fitness level gradually.