Strokes occur when brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients because of a narrowing blood vessel or a blood clot, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Symptoms of strokes include numbness or tingling on one side of the body, vision problems, slurred speech, difficulty walking and clumsiness. Without immediate medical intervention, serious complications can occur. However, 80 percent of all strokes are preventable if people take precautions, the National Stroke Association says.
Healthy Weight
One key way to guard against strokes is maintaining a healthy weight or losing excess weight, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. People who are overweight or obese and have a body mass index, or BMI, of 25 or more increase their chances of having a stroke. Normal weight varies from person to person, but normal BMI ranges between 18 and 24.9. Proper nutrition and exercise help you maintain a healthy weight. A healthy diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, is low in sodium and saturated fat, and excludes processed or fried foods. You can maintain a healthy weight by getting at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day.
Control Blood Pressure and Diabetes
Two other key risk factors for strokes are high blood pressure and diabetes, the National Stroke Association says. People who consistently have blood pressure readings higher than 80/120 increase their stroke risks. The American Diabetes Association says normal blood sugar readings range from 126 milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dl, to 140 mg/dl. Mg/dl measure the amount of glucose passing through the bloodstream. People with diabetes and high blood pressure must follow doctors' recommendations, take prescribed medications and pursue a healthy lifestyle.
Tobacco and Alcohol
Smoking and drinking large amounts of alcohol increases stroke risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that three years after people quit smoking, they reduce stoke risks. Over-the-counter, holistic and doctor-recommended methods help people quit smoking. Limit alcoholic drinks to one beverage a day.
Control Cholesterol
The National Stroke Association says that people should know their cholesterol level as a precaution against strokes. High cholesterol indicates that arteries could develop plaque, which narrows arteries and decreases blood flow. Total normal cholesterol readings are less than 200. LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, increases a person's risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs to control cholesterol and recommend lifestyle changes for patients with high cholesterol as ways to decrease stroke risks.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that alters the heart's ability to work properly and effectively. The National Stroke Association says that people with this condition can develop clots that could block vessels carrying oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Doctors use electrocardiograms to diagnose patients with atrial fibrillation. Remedies include blood thinners, such as aspirin, or warfarin and other prescription drugs.
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