Stroke Prevention - How Can You Prevent a Stroke?

What can you do to prevent a stroke (CVA) from happening to you or anyone you know? The answer is simple. Knowing your risk is your first line of defense. Secondly, knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke enables you to take action fast should one occur. Thirdly, knowing what to do if you or someone you know begins showing signs.

The brain's main arteries are the carotid arteries that lie on either side of the neck. These arteries feed oxygenated blood to the brain. Stroke happens when there is a temporary or longer lasting disruption of blood flow to the brain due to an embolism or thrombus, also known as a blood clot. This leads to Ischemia followed by cell death and functional difficulties. The main focus at this point is to restore blood flow to the brain and reduce damage. But even more important is knowing how you can prevent a stroke from happening in the first place.

Stroke Review:

Symptoms:

A person showing signs of a stroke may exhibit:

• Sudden headache


• Nausea and vomiting


• Difficulty speaking and understanding speech


• Dizziness, loss of balance and coordination


• Weakness on one side of the body including the face


• Numbness or tingling in the face or extremities

Risks:

Stroke is linked to several chronic diseases, such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. All of which are risk factors for the other. Risks for stroke include:

• Hypertension


• Cholesterol and triglyceride levels


• Blood sugar levels


• Being over weight


• Physical inactivity


• Age


• Ethnicity


• Family history


• Previous stroke

How to prevent a stroke:

Having a CVA is preventable when you know your risks and act upon them. Living a healthy lifestyle and getting rid of bad habits may not guarantee you won't have one, but your chances of becoming a victim will be lowered significantly.

Hypertension: A high systolic (top number) blood pressure of 140 and above is considered hypertensive. A diastolic (bottom number) of over 90 is also considered hypertensive. High blood pressure is the main factor for hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke. The best way to avoid this happening is to keep your blood pressure within normal range by taking medications on time daily, eating a low sodium diet, and increasing your activity level.

Serum cholesterol: Cholesterol and is what makes up the plaque that builds up, resulting in narrowing of the arteries. Cracks develop on the hardened plaque, to which cells and other debris collect producing a blood clot. Pieces of the clot can break away and travel to other parts of the body. This is an embolism that can travel and lodge in the brain leading to ischemia and stroke. Eating a diet high in fiber can reduce the cholesterol in the blood, thus decreasing the chance of a clot forming. Monitoring your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and taking medication as ordered by your physician will greatly reduce your chances of an embolus forming.

Blood sugar levels: High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) levels is another name for diabetes. In diabetes, there is insufficient or inadequate insulin in the blood to lower glucose levels. This can cause damage to the organs and tissues if not controlled properly, and can exacerbate other chronic conditions that cause blood clots to form. Normal blood sugar levels is between 70 mg/dl and 110 mg/dl. Keeping your blood sugar values between these numbers will prevent complications, such as amputation.

Obesity: If you are overweight it is very important to loose the extra weight and maintain it by exercising at least three times per week. Not only does this lower blood pressure, but is instrumental in weight loss and lowering blood glucose levels. Eating a diet that is low in fats and high in fiber will help you lose weight and stay healthy.

Eating a healthy diet of fresh veggies and fruit, lean meats, whole grains and nuts will prevent stroke and keep other chronic diseases at bay.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT