Stroke Risk Reduction - All You Need to Know

Introduction:

A stroke is a condition in which the brain does not get sufficient blood and oxygen and is a medical emergency. The blood flow to the brain can get blocked due to a block (blood clots, plaque, fatty deposits) or rupture of the major blood vessels supplying the brain. Bleeding in and around the brain can also lead to stroke. The brain cells get damaged due to oxygen and nutrition depletion and begin to die within minutes if treatment is not initiated. The brain damage caused by stroke is permanent, and thus, it can lead to long-term disability and death. Stroke can be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices and controlling chronic underlying health conditions.

The warning signs of stroke include sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the face or body (arms, legs), severe headache, vision disturbances, blurred vision, trouble speaking, confusion, and trouble understanding speech. If a person experiences the signs of a stroke, call for emergency help immediately or rush to the emergency department for prompt treatment. Time is a crucial factor in stroke management that can save lives.

What Are the Factors That Increase the Risk of Stroke?

The various risk factors for stroke and transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke) include the following:

• Age greater than 55.

• A family history of stroke.

• Men have a higher risk.

• Ethnicity or race (African Americans and Hispanics are at greater risk).

• Hypertension (increased blood pressure).

• Increased blood cholesterol levels.

• Diabetes (insulin resistance).

• Physically inactive people.

• Patients with heart disease.

• Smoking.

• Heart rhythm problems.

• Drug abuse (such as cocaine).

• High-risk diet.

• Stress and depression.

How to Manage the Risk Factors to Prevent Stroke?

1. Managing High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Hypertension is the most important risk factor for stroke. If a person has hypertension, the chance that they will experience a stroke before 80 years of age increases two to fourfold. It is important to work out a strategy with the healthcare provider based on each individual's health condition to reduce the risk of stroke with hypertension. The healthcare provider may suggest changes in lifestyle, including proper weight management, avoiding drugs (that increase blood pressure), healthy food habits, low salt intake, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, and regular exercise. In addition, medications to keep the blood pressure under control will be prescribed by the doctor. Keeping the blood pressure under check helps to prevent other diseases such as diabetes and heart or kidney diseases.

2. Avoid Smoking: If a person smokes, their chance of stroke increases two to fourfold (greater chance of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke). Cigarette smoking has been linked to the build-up of fatty substances in the major arteries supplying the heart and brain, which blocks the sufficient blood supply to the brain. This leads to ischemic stroke, one of the leading causes of stroke seen in Americans. Nicotine from cigarette smoking can raise blood pressure, worsening the condition. In addition, carbon monoxide (due to smoking) reduces the oxygen levels in the blood that reaches the brain, and smoking makes the blood thicker, resulting in easy clot formation. Cigarette smoking has also been linked to aneurysm formation. It is essential to seek help from a doctor to quit smoking (a chronic habit), attend the recommended programs, and take the prescribed medications to help quit the habit. When a person quits smoking, their chance of other diseases, such as heart and lung diseases and cancers, also reduces.

3. Getting Heart Disease Under Control: Common heart problems such as heart valve defects, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), and heart chamber enlargement can result in blood clots. These blood clots can break loose and block the major blood vessels to or from the brain, resulting in a stroke. Irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation is one of the major contributors to stroke for the elderly, with higher disability and mortality rates. Atherosclerosis (blood vessels blocked by plaque, fatty deposits, or clots) is another common blood vessel disease seen in hypertensive patients that increases the risk of stroke. Surgery to ensure that the brain receives sufficient blood and oxygen may be necessary if the major arteries supplying the brain are blocked. In addition, Aspirin therapy or other blood thinners can be recommended by healthcare providers to prevent clot formation.

4. Seeking Help for Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): If a person has had previous strokes or transient ischemic attacks, the chance of another stroke is high. If a person experiences the warning signs of stroke, it is essential to seek emergency medical help.

5. Keeping Diabetes Under Control: This disorder affects the body's ability to utilize glucose from the bloodstream. It increases the chance of stroke. Diabetes results in blood vessel damage (destructive changes), including the major blood vessels that supply the brain. In addition, uncontrolled blood sugar levels during a stroke can result in extensive brain damage. Thus, controlling blood sugar levels is essential to prevent stroke and its complications.

6. Avoiding Cholesterol Imbalance: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) carries cholesterol through the blood. If the levels of LDL increase, it leads to fatty deposits or build-up in blood vessels, leading to blocks (atherosclerosis). This type of blood vessel narrowing and blocking leads to emergencies such as stroke and heart attacks. Thus, one must take a low-fat diet and the prescribed medications regularly.

7. Preventing Obesity and Physical Inactivity: Increased body weight (obesity) and inactivity are linked to chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The greater the obesity, the higher the risk for stroke.

What Are the Simple Lifestyle Changes That Can Prevent Stroke?

1. Dietary Changes: Consuming an unhealthy diet increases the chance of stroke by increasing blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure. A well-balanced diet is essential, with high fiber, low-fat food, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables and fruits. It is important to avoid high salt-containing processed foods. The salt intake must be limited to less than six grams daily (a teaspoonful).

2. Exercise Regime: A healthy diet should be combined with regular exercise to ensure a healthy weight and prevent obesity. Exercise also helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and keeps blood pressure under control. Moderate-intensity aerobics, cycling, fast walking, and other regular exercise regimes must be followed for at least two and a half hours a week. If a person is recovering from a stroke, they must discuss their regimen with the doctors or the rehabilitation team.

3. Quit Habits Such as Smoking, Alcohol, and Illicit Drug Intake: It is essential to quit habits such as drug and alcohol intake and cigarette smoking as these have been linked to increased risk of stroke. Excessive alcohol intake leads to high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats, increasing stroke risk. Alcoholic drinks also have high calories that lead to weight gain and obesity.

Conclusion:

The best way to prevent stroke is by managing the underlying medical condition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regularly exercising, and avoiding habits such as smoking and alcohol. With these healthy changes, the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and high cholesterol lowers, further preventing strokes.