Individuals that have a healthy blood pressure that ranges in the 120/80 scale are less likely to have a stroke as when compared to those that have hypertension or high blood pressure. Unfortunately, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels, making you susceptible to blood clots and ultimately causing a stroke if prevention measures are not taken.
Who is at risk for a stroke and why is exercise important?
Females that are 55 or older are at a higher risk of developing hypertension than men which is why it’s imperative that you take the proper precautions to prevent a stroke from ever happening. One of the things that can really help decrease the risk of a stroke is regular exercise. Studies show that those that have moderate to high levels of physical exercise decrease the risk of a stroke by as much as 60%. When you exercise regularly it stimulates the heart keeping it strong so it doesn’t have to fight so hard to pump blood through your system lowering the risk of a stroke, high cholesterol levels and decreases the chance of diabetes as well.
1. Keeping the drinks to a minimum
While it’s okay to occasionally drink your favorite alcoholic beverage it’s important to remember that too much of anything can be bad for you and in the case of drinking it can actually cause a stroke if you are not careful. It has been proven that drinking can cause your blood pressure to increase and depending on your current health it can put you at a higher risk for a stroke. Less drinking is one of the easiest ways to prevent a stroke especially since you have control over how much alcohol that goes into your body.
2. Preventing a stroke with a proper diet and weight control
For many individuals controlling their weight and eating right can be a daunting task especially if you lead a busy lifestyle which may not leave room for cooking a balanced meal. However, it’s imperative that you take the time to eat properly in order to prevent a stroke from happening especially if you have any other conditions that may increase the risk. Controlling your weight can be done with the help eating right and regular checkups with your doctor to monitor you. You should always keep tabs on where you are weight wise compared to where you should be and your doctor can help to keep track of this.
Eating properly and having a balanced diet with the right types of foods such as vegetables, fruits and lean meats will help to lower the risk of a stroke. You should avoid foods that are overly greasy, high in fat and cholesterol as it increases the cholesterol levels in your blood, therefore putting you at a higher risk for suffering a stroke. Instead of eating several large meals it may benefit you to eat 5 smaller portioned meals throughout the day that are full of fiber, fruits and vegetables.
3. Say no to smoking
With millions of smokers all around the world it comes as no surprise that it puts you at the high risk for several health problems including a stroke. Smoking can cause you to have a stroke as early as your 30s especially if you are what is considered a chain smoker (1-2 packs per day) and can cause many other health conditions as well. Smoking increases your risk of hypertension and the nicotine can damage your cardiovascular system so prevent this from happening by giving up on smoking.
Having a stroke can be scary and life changing if not fatal but with these simple ways to prevent a stroke you can start today and give yourself a healthier future. Keep in mind the fact that there are always signs that your body may show when a stroke is about to come. Watching for signs such as facing trouble seeing with both eyes, sudden strong headaches and confussion can save a person’s life. In the case that you notice any of these symptoms on yourself or a friend, drop everything and call the emergency services.
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