Stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. It can cause permanent brain damage or even death. However, there are several things you can do to help prevent a stroke.
The best way to help prevent a stroke is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol. These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of problems like arteries becoming clogged with fatty substances (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.
You can also help prevent stroke by making healthy choices and controlling any health conditions you may have. Many strokes could be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes and working with your health care team to control health conditions that raise your risk for stroke.
Risk factors important in stroke prevention can be divided into non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors. In most cases, the patient has a combination of modifiable risk factors, i.e., hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Here are seven ways to start reining in your risks today to avoid stroke before a stroke has the chance to strike.
1. Lower blood pressure.
2. Lose weight.
3. Exercise more.
4. If you drink — do it in moderation.
5. Treat atrial fibrillation.
6. Treat diabetes.
7. Quit smoking.
Having a stroke can lead to aphasia. This may cause deficits in understanding speech, expressing speech, reading, and writing. If you or a loved one is experiencing aphasia, we can help! Call Speech Care at Home at (813) 344-3207 today to set up an in-person or remote consultation.