Stroke Is Predicted to Increase By 70% - Here’s How To Cut Your Risk Of Stroke In Half – Or More Stroke is at the top of most people’s “Don’t want that” list. More feared than heart attacks and cancer, a stroke can leave you with a fate that may be worse than death……alive but unable to care for yourself.
However, you have much more control over the possibility of stroke than you may realize, and in fact, you can cut your risk in half of one of the most feared diseases with some simple strategies.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke, also known as a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), is the death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen. Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death and the #1 cause of disability. A stroke can either be caused by lack of blood flow to the brain (called an ischemic stroke – about 85% of all strokes) or by bleeding in the brain (called a hemorrhagic stroke – about 15% of strokes). About 795,000 strokes occur each year in the United States, causing 150,000 deaths.
What is a “Mini Stroke” or TIA? A transient ischemic attack or TIA, also called a mini stroke, differs from a stroke only in the length of time the symptoms last. A TIA lasts from minutes up to 24 hours and resolves completely. TIAs can be warning signs that you are at risk for a stroke and require urgent medical attention.
Who is at risk for stroke?
The risk factors for stroke include previous stroke or TIA, high blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, diabetes, obesity, history of blood clots, Afib, and older age.
What are the best treatments for stroke?
Stroke treatment has come a long way in recent years. Clot-busting drugs, blood thinners, and cholesterol drugs have all been shown to help prevent – or treat - the devastating consequences of stroke.
But despite medical advances in treatment and prevention, stroke rates are increasing.
Strokes have increased by 70% in the last 30 years, and the increase in strokes is predicted to continue in the future. Particularly troublesome is the increase among younger age groups, with some studies showing as much as a 65% increase in stroke among those less than 45 years of age. The World Health Organization notes that 1 in 4 adults over 25 years of age will have a stroke in their lifetime.
How to cut your risk of stroke in half or more
However, what is essential to know is that there are remarkably effective ways to prevent stroke. In fact, you can cut your risk of stroke by over half.
You may think that this “miracle treatment” must be some new wonder drug that will be really expensive…….but it’s not. It is something much cheaper and with much less side effects.
One study looked at over 36,000 adults and followed them for almost 14 years. They found that those who followed just five healthy lifestyle choices had a 67% reduction in stroke!
What are those healthy choices?
- Don’t smoke
- Maintain a normal weight
- Be physically active
- Eat you’re a nutritious diet
- Don’t overindulge in alcohol
Another study showed these same 5 measures of healthy lifestyle lowered stroke by 72%.
It’s probably no surprise that a healthy lifestyle helps prevent stroke. But you may be surprised at how powerful your choices are in lowering your risk of stroke.
Preventing stroke is one of our key goals at HealthspanMD™ - along with preventing heart disease, cancer, dementia, diabetes, fatty liver, and Afib. And research data like stroke prevention research is why we focus on the ten factors most impactful to living a long and vital life – which we call the Healthspan10™.
- Normal blood pressure
- Normal blood sugar levels
- Healthy cholesterol levels
- Healthy body weight or body composition
- Healthy nutrition
- Regular physical activity
- Avoid toxins such as tobacco and excess alcohol
- Restorative sleep
- Manage stress
- Stay connected - socially and to your purpose
Contact HealthspanMD ™ in Phoenix, Arizona, if You Want to Prevent a Stroke
If you want to lower your risk for stroke, it’s time to talk to our team. HealthspanMD ™ specializes in working with people like you to provide a personalized, comprehensive, and connected care approach to lowering the risk of stroke, heart disease, dementia, and early death. Call our offices in Phoenix, Arizona, for an appointment today.
Want to learn more? Ready to get started with the top preventive cardiologist Phoenix, AZ has to offer? Schedule an appointment with HealthspanMD™ today, where health and care come together.
