Can You Prevent A Stroke?

Most people who lead a complete and healthy life assume that no accidents will happen to them in the future. At the very least, they do not recognize the odds that something could happen to them. In most cases, the positive is more likely than the negative, and this is especially true when it comes to stroke. But what is a stroke and how can we prevent a stroke?

What is a stroke?

In the simplest terms, a stroke is a loss of blood circulation to the brain. The risk increases according to how long the brain is deprived of oxygen due to lack of blood flow.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),  a stroke is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases in the world, even more so than heart disease.

They also claim that it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The people most affected by a stroke are between 40 and 60 years old. They can also manifest as heart attacks or blood clots.

Types of strokes

A stroke can be further divided into two types:

• Ischemic stroke. These are caused by arterial blockages. According to the American Heart Association , they account for 87% of all strokes.
• Hemorrhagic stroke. This type is caused by a ruptured blood vessel, whether it occurs in the brain or elsewhere.

Causes of a stroke

No one is immune to the risk of a stroke in their lifetime.  However, people in the age group mentioned above are more likely to suffer from them.

There are also a number of factors that can be crucial in determining the risk of a stroke:

• Lack of physical activity:  Not getting the minimum or basic amount of  exercise  has a significant impact.
• Excessive weight gain or obesity: The heavier you are, the greater the chance of suffering a stroke.
• Gender: Men are generally more likely to have a stroke than women, although they may also suffer.

• Pregnancy:  During and a few weeks after a pregnancy, the chances of suffering a stroke increase.
• Genetics: If your parents have had a stroke, you are also more likely to want it.
• Certain diseases:  Atrial fibrillation, diabetes, stress, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
• Problems related to the circulatory system:  Artificial valves, transplants or weak arteries.
• Smoking

Is it possible to prevent a stroke?

To minimize the likelihood of suffering from this problem, you can consider a number of recommendations.

Avoid tobacco use

It is critically important to avoid the enormous damage that tobacco products can do to the body, especially when it comes to the circulatory system and the possibility of getting a stroke.

An important recommendation is to  stop all tobacco use. If it’s hard for you to do now, at least try to reduce it gradually.

Get exercise

It is just as important to have a minimum of physical activity to lead a life filled with healthy habits. Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise per day will reduce your chances of suffering from this problem.

Maintain or reduce your body weight

This advice depends on the person, because not everyone should weigh the same.

However, if you are overweight or obese, try to reduce it slowly. If you are within the normal weight range that is considered healthy, try to stay there.

Avoid drug use

Both legal and illegal substances can pose great dangers to your body.

If you need certain medications, make sure they have been prescribed by a specialist.

A healthy diet

Having a healthy and balanced diet is important for good health.

To reduce the risk of suffering a stroke, try adding the following to your daily diet:

• Fruit
• Whole grains
• Protein
• Chicken
• Fish
• Vegetables

Also avoid processed, packaged foods, as well as foods high in harmful fats.