Knowledge is Key for Stroke Prevention

You can’t control your family history, age, gender or ethnicity. But you can do something about other factors that could increase your risk of having a stroke, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, being tobacco-free, controlling your high blood pressure and controlling your blood cholesterol.

Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die. If the blood supply is not restored, the affected part of the brain dies, causing disability or death.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, you can help prevent a stroke by learning more about these risk factors:

• High blood pressure – This is the number one risk factor for stroke, so it is important to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. The Heart&Stroke Blood Pressure Action Plan is a free online tool that will help you achieve and manage a healthy blood pressure. You can find it at heartandstroke.ca/ehealth.

• High blood cholesterol – By lowering your cholesterol, you can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Ask your doctor about getting your cholesterol checked. Try to reduce the amount of fat in your diet and work some physical activity into your day.

• Being overweight – If you are struggling with your weight, you are not alone. More than 60 percent of adults are either overweight or obese. Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake as well as introducing 150 minutes of physical activity into your week can help you better manage your weight.

• Unhealthy alcohol consumption – Drinking too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure and contribute to the development of heart disease and stroke.

• Smoking – Both smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Becoming tobacco-free has tremendous health benefits.

• Stress – Too much stress can elevate your blood cholesterol or blood pressure and make it difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle.

You can take a personal risk assessment online at makehealthlast.ca.

www.newscanada.com