If you or someone you know wants to make an appointment at the DENT Stroke Clinic, call 716-250-2000 or click here for more information.
World Stroke Day 2019 is October 29. The world stroke campaign’s goal is to raise awareness of stroke symptoms and the leading causes of strokes.
One in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime. Most strokes are preventable with a few simple steps. Here are the top tips that help to reduce the risk of stroke.
Control high blood pressure
Half of all strokes are associated with hypertension. Knowing your blood pressure and controlling it with lifestyle changes or medication will reduce your risk of stroke.
Exercise 5 times per week
Over a third of all strokes happen to people who do not get enough exercise. 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise five times per week will reduce your stroke risk.
Eat a healthy balanced diet
Almost a quarter of all strokes are connected to poor nutrition. Eating a diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables, and reducing consumption of processed food will reduce your risk of stroke.
Reduce your cholesterol
More than 1 in 4 strokes are linked to high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. Eating low saturated fats, avoiding processed food, and exercise will help to reduce your risk. If you are unable to maintain a healthy cholesterol level with lifestyle changes, your doctor may advise medication to help.
Maintain a healthy weight
Being overweight or obese was found in almost 1 in 5 strokes. Maintaining a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) or Hip to Waist Ratio will help you reduce your risk.
Stop smoking and avoid smoky environments
Almost 1 in 10 strokes were associated with smoking. Stopping smoking will reduce your risk of stroke and the risks of people who live around you. Getting help to quit increases your chances of success.
Reduce your alcohol intake
Over 1M strokes each year were linked to excessive alcohol consumption. If you drink, keep it a limit of 1-2 units of alcohol a day.
Identify and treat atrial fibrillation
People with AP are 5x more likely to have a stroke than the general population. If you are over 50, talk to your doctor about AF screening. If you have AF, talk about treatments that will reduce your risk.
Manage diabetes
If you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of stroke. Diabetes and stroke also share several risk factors, including diet and exercise. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about how to reduce your stroke risk.
Manage stress and depression
Almost 1 in 6 strokes are linked to mental well-being. Managing stress, depression, anger, and anxiety are all critical to reducing stroke risk.
Recognize signs FAST
F.A.S.T. is a way to recognize signs of a stroke.
FACE (has their mouth drooped?)
ARMS (can they lift both arms?)
SPEECH
TIME (time is critical!)
Why choose DENT?
There are about 1.5 Million strokes in the US each year. Nearly half of these are severe, requiring immediate hospitalization and often aggressive intervention. On the other hand, approximately 750,000 strokes occur with only passing symptoms. These mild strokes or Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs) are alarming, but often result in little or no deficit.
TIAs are critically vital warning signs of a potential devastating stroke. TIA symptoms must not be ignored. The Dent Mild Stroke/TIA clinic is run by experts in stroke neurology that have fine-tuned the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, resulting in a significantly reduction in the risk of a recurrent stroke.
Learn more about our comprehensive stroke center here.
The content of this post is intended for general educational and informational purposes only; it does not constitute medical advice. Readers should always consult with a licensed healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.