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How to Lower Your Risk for Stroke

The National Stroke Association lists stroke as the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. The conditions that contribute to this disease typically develop over time and include certain lifestyle habits. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lower the risk of having a stroke.

  1. Identification

    • Stroke is a condition caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain, which can be a result of blockages or ruptured blood vessels. Blockages occur when blood clots form inside the blood vessels that lead to the brain. This is called an ischemic stroke. In cases in which a blood vessel leading to the brain ruptures, blood flow is slowed or stopped. This is called a hemorrhagic stroke.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of a stroke can vary depending on what area of the brain is affected. Some of the more common symptoms include sudden and severe headaches, vision difficulties in one or both eyes, mental confusion that appears as problems with talking or comprehending, and numbness in the arms, legs or face. Symptoms involving numbness often occur on one side of the body. The onset of a stroke requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage.

    Heart Disease

    • The buildup of fat deposits within the arteries poses a serious risk for clotting. Diets high in fat and cholesterol contribute to the buildup of these deposits. However, there are good cholesterols and bad cholesterols. The bad cholesterols develop into the fatty deposits found on artery walls. Good cholesterols help to clear away these deposits. Foods like grains, nuts and seafood contain high amounts of good cholesterol. In some cases, individuals at risk of stroke may be advised by their doctor to take aspirin on a regular basis. Aspirin works to thin the blood, which helps to keep clots from forming.

    High Blood Pressure

    • High blood pressure--also known as hypertension--is a condition in which the small vessels in the body become too narrow for blood to flow freely. In effect, the heart has to work harder to move blood through these vessels. An individual with high blood pressure is at risk for the type of stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel. Keeping blood pressure levels low helps reduce this risk. Some ways to control blood pressure include maintaining a normal weight level and exercising on a regular basis. Foods like fruits and vegetables help increase potassium levels, which helps reduce blood pressure. Foods with high salt content should be avoided.

    Cigarette Smoking

    • According to the National Stroke Association, blockage in the neck's carotid artery is the number one cause of stroke in the United States. The effects of cigarette smoking increase the buildup of fatty substances within the carotid artery. The carbon monoxide contained in cigarettes works to decrease the amount of oxygen in the blood. This reduces the amount of oxygen that gets to the brain. In addition, cigarette smoking raises blood pressure levels and thickens the blood, which makes it more likely to clot.

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