The risk of recurrent strokes is significant. According to the University of Toledo, nearly a quarter of women will have a subsequent stroke within five years of their initial one. For men, that number jumps up to 42 percent.
The good news is that up to 80 percent of strokes are actually preventable, so you can take steps to protect your health. Furthermore, the same actions that will help you prevent a future stroke will also reduce your risk of other issues, such as heart disease and diabetes
Lifestyle Changes
Preventing stroke (and other chronic diseases) begins with your day-to-day routines. Making healthy choices on a consistent basis will go a long way to protect your body and mind. The following tips can help to minimize your stroke risk factors:
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- Follow your physician’s guidance – For example, if hypertension contributed to your stroke, be sure to monitor your blood pressure regularly and take all medications as directed. Also diabetes and high cholesterol. If you have been placed on blood thinners that require diligent monitoring, be sure to do so.
- Get adequate nutrition – Focus on a low-sodium, low-fat diet that features whole foods, such as the Mediterranean Diet or the DASH Diet
- Incorporate physical activity – Try to get at least two and half hours of moderate intensity exercise each week. That translates into 30-minute sessions, five days a week
- Maintain your mental health – Work to improve your stress management abilities and get treatment for any mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety
- Reduce smoking and alcohol intake – Both are inflammatory, which can contribute to the underlying mechanism of stroke
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Act FAST to get treatment
While the lifestyle changes above can be effective in reducing your risk of stroke, it’s still important to know the signs of stroke so that you can get treatment as quickly as possible if you do have one. Timely interventions can drastically reduce the effects caused by a stroke.
The acronym FAST can help you to remember the signs of stroke.
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- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Slurred speech
- Time to call 911
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If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t delay in seeking medical treatment.
If you make sure that you are taking steps to prevent a future stroke and know the signs and symptoms to get fast treatment for a subsequent stroke, you can continue to enjoy good health as a stroke survivor.