8 Things you can do to help prevent a Stroke

The 8 simple things you can do to help prevent a Stroke

A Stroke, is a Life Changing event.  It takes away your Independence, and Recovery is a long hard road.  Just ask any Stroke Survivor.

My Stroke was caused by a Blood Infection, as a result of a small cut on my hand.  The Blood Infection settled in my irregular Heart Valve that I was born with, that caused a whole list of problems, resulting in my second and more severe Stroke.  In reality, although I was born with my Heart condition, and warned of what could happen, I never really gave it a second thought, except when I had to take Medication before receiving Dental work.  I thought the fatigue I was feeling was the flu, not a Blood Infection.  Why would I?

If you or someone you know suffer a STROKE, we can help.  In Canada, you can find us at JGH Rehab   If you live in the USA, you can visit Recover From Your Stroke With Saebo | Saebo, and if you live in the UK, you can visit  Saebo UK   We have everything you need to help you recover to your full potential, helping you every step of the way, with No Plateau in Sight.

However, the Best way to treat a Stroke is not to have one.  There are many things that you can do to minimize your chance of having a Stroke, or a Second Stroke. 

Yes, 80% of Stroke Survivors, will have to Survive another Stroke, so here are 8 things that you should do to prevent that from happening.  You can even share this with your friends, because an ounce of Prevention, is worth a pound of Cure.

1. Know your Blood Pressure, and monitor it Regularly. 

The Ideal Blood Pressure is 120/80.  You can purchase a reliable Blood Pressure Machine for less then $100.00.

I take my Blood Pressure every morning sitting on the side of my bed at approximately 8:30 am.  It is important to be in the same position, at the same time every morning if possible, without moving or talking while the device is working.  This will give you the most accurate reading.  I can almost calculate what my Blood Pressure is going to be by the way I feel.  Lack of Sleep and Stress can increase your Blood Pressure, so you need to find a way to manage that if necessary.  I put my Blood Pressure reading in my calendar on my phone.  When I go to see my doctor, I simply search Blood Pressure in my phone Calendar, and show the Doctor my BP readings for the past month, or several months.

2. Pay Attention to your Heart Rhythm.

Atrial flutter is a type of abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmia. It occurs when a short circuit in the heart causes the upper chambers (atria) to pump very rapidly. Atrial flutter is important not only because of its symptoms but because it can cause a stroke that may result in permanent disability or death.  If you experience this, consult your Doctor as soon as possible.

3. If you Smoke, QUIT.  

The risk of stroke is about 2 to 4 times greater among smokers than among those who never smoked. More than a third of deaths from stroke among Canadians under the age of 65 years were due to smoking. Smokers who survive a stroke and do not quit smoking are at a high risk of dying from a subsequent stroke - more than twice the risk of those who quit or who have never smoked.

4.  Drink Alcohol in Moderation.

Alcohol is a risk factor for stroke. This is primarily because alcohol can cause high blood pressure and high triglycerides; each of these conditions can increase your chances of having a stroke. For people who are concerned about alcohol-related stroke risks, the current recommendation is that men shouldn’t have more than two drinks a day, and women should not exceed one drink a day.  Some people wonder if it’s wise to drink alcohol after having a stroke. There are a few things to keep in mind. If you’re taking certain medicines after having a stroke, such as blood thinners or aspirin, it’s probably best to avoid alcohol.  Drinking while taking aspirin can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.  Additionally, people who have lasting neurological issues due to a stroke may be more susceptible to the negative effects of alcohol, such as balance problems.

 5.  Control your Blood Sugar

High blood sugar can cause stroke. Type 1 diabetes symptoms usually arrive without warning. Suddenly someone might have unexplained weight loss constant thirst and the need to go to the bathroom all the time. These are all signs that the insulin producing cells of the pancreas have been destroyed by an immune system gone awry.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see your Physician.

6.  Have your Cholesterol checked Regularly.

High cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup on the arterial walls, which restricts blood from flowing freely. This increases your risk of ischemic stroke, the type of stroke caused by a clogged artery in the brain. When a blood clot travels to the brain and becomes stuck in an artery – often due to excess plaque buildup – it can cause a stroke. 

Here are 10 Natural ways to Lower your Cholesterol Naturally.

10 Natural Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol Levels (healthline.com)

7.  Cut Salt and Fat from your Diet.

It is widely accepted that too much salt in the diet can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.

Dietary Guidelines recommend an upper limit for sodium consumption of 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day for adults. If you are age 51 or older or have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic disease -- about half the general population -- that recommendation is lowered to 1,500 milligrams per day.

Trans fat is the worst fat—it raises LDL cholesterol levels and lowers HDL cholesterol levels. Trans fats are also tied to increased risks of developing heart disease and stroke. Ok, strike the hamburgers and fried chicken. How about a nice, wholesome submarine sandwich?

Everyone should refer to the Food Label when grocery shopping.  

The food label shows all the ingredients in a packaged food.

Ingredients are listed in order of weight, beginning with the ingredient that weighs the most and ending with the ingredient that weighs the least. This means that a food contains more of the ingredients found at the beginning of the list, and less of the ingredients at the end of the list.

8.  Exercise.

Something as simple as walking 30 -40 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week, really lower your risk of suffering a Stroke.

Following these 8 simple steps, will not guarantee, that you will not suffer a Stroke, but it will certainly help lower the Risks.