On average, someone experiences a stroke every 40 seconds in the United
States. Strokes are caused by a blockage in blood flow to the brain and
may result in paralysis, cognitive problems, numbness, pain, depression,
lack of emotional control, and more. Although nearly 80 percent of strokes
are preventable, it is still a leading cause of long-term disability in
the U.S. As part of National Stroke Awareness Month, Anaheim Regional
Medical Center, a designated stroke center, is proud to help spread awareness
of the severity of stroke injuries and share information on how to lower
your risk for stroke.
Lowering Your Risk for Stroke
While certain unchangeable factors such as family history, age, gender
and ethnicity may all contribute to a person’s risk for stroke,
it is not entirely out of their hands. Lifestyle changes and preventative
measures can be taken in order to protect individuals from stroke.
Take a look at ways you can lessen your risk for stroke:
-
Get up off of that thing: Regular exercise can help prevent a number of health issues, especially
stroke. Join a gym, take a daily walk or find something active you enjoy!
-
Don’t pass the salt: Keeping sodium under control can reduce your risk of a stroke. Eat a healthy
diet that limits sodium and replaces it with natural nutrients and vitamins.
-
Keep it under control: If you have a history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes,
work closely with your doctor to keep those conditions at bay.
-
Quit smoking. Or don’t start: Smoking cigarettes can cause blood clots and contributes to an average
of one in every five strokes in the U.S. Quitting could be the best thing
for your body.
-
Just one please: Limiting your alcohol intake could help reduce your risk of stroke. We
recommend less than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
As you make these changes, spread the word! There is nothing like a good
community to keep people accountable to one another and to help one another
make healthier choices.
Supporting Stroke Awareness
To help support stroke awareness, you can join up with organizations and
hospitals who have an established program in place. The first step is
education. Learn about the condition, how to recognize a stroke, what
causes it, and what steps you can take to lessen your risk. The second
step is to share what you’ve learned with others. Use social media
to spread helpful articles, blogs, and other information about the fifth
leading cause of death in the nation. Or, you can donate to the
American Stroke Association. Even small steps to awareness can make huge changes in your community.
Together, we can end stroke™.
This article contains general information about medical conditions and
treatments. The information is not advice and should not be treated as
such. The information is not intended to replace the advice or diagnosis
of a physician.
If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should
consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.