What is a Stroke? | Five Tips to Help Prevent Strokes | The Takeaway
Overview
In the US, over 700,000 strokes happen yearly and are responsible for 165,000 deaths.[1] It’s the fourth-leading cause of death in the country.[2] As our population ages, this condition is expected to rise in incidence.
Although the diagnosis and care of stroke patients have improved, the 5-year mortality rates from stroke are still only 50 percent,[1] so there is more work to be done in this realm to improve outcomes.
However, the term “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies to strokes plentifully, and we have some tips to help you potentially avoid this life-altering brain injury.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is when blood flow to the brain is impeded and causes cell injury.
The brain needs oxygen for proper functioning, and to this end, arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the brain. However, if blood flow is compromised, brain cells die within minutes from lack of oxygen, causing a stroke.
Acute strokes can happen due to a blockage of blood vessels in the brain (ischemic), occurring in 90 percent of cases, or internal bleeding (hemorrhagic), which happens the rest of the time.[3]
It is essential to be aware of the signs of a stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines these as:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Every minute of an acute stroke is crucial as time passing makes the “brain attack” more damaging. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms.
Early treatments, rehab programs, and long-term lifestyle modifications have been shown to improve outcomes for individuals who have experienced a stroke.[3]
Five Tips to Help Prevent Strokes
The key to preventing any stroke is in the lifestyle choices that we make. Fortunately, these are within our control for the most part, and even though it can be tough to start a new habit, sticking to it will pay dividends for your health for years to come.
1) Diet: There’s no way around it. What we put in our bodies has the most significant impact on our health. Sound dietary choices mean eating less sodium and highly processed foods, such as luncheon/deli meats for stroke prevention.
Have plenty of vegetables and some fruit in your diet as well. The idea is to keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check – both of which can damage blood vessels.
2) Exercise: Don’t roll your eyes – you may be tired of hearing about diet and exercise being great at preventing illness and maintaining health and wellness, but the facts never change around them.
Diet and exercise are the primary tools for maintaining a healthy weight and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol at normal levels. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, and that’s a great place to start. Brisk walks, jogging, cycling, and recreational swimming all count towards that goal!
3) Smoking: Again, it’s an old story, but if you smoke – please stop. The relationship between smoking cigarettes and strokes is a well-documented one.
One study showed that the risk of a stroke increased by 12 percent for every five cigarettes per day![4] There are many ways to stop this addiction, from over-the-counter solutions like nicotine patches and gums to prescription medications and psychotherapy.
4) Alcohol: In general, the more excessive the drinking, the more the risk of stroke exists.[5] Alcohol can raise blood pressure, which, by now, we know can cause damage to the blood vessels in the long term. Try to keep your alcohol consumption to about two drinks per day for men and one for women.
5) Managing Current Conditions: Unfortunately, many health conditions can precipitate a stroke if not managed, including heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. If you have any of these, speak to your doctor about appropriate management.
The Takeaway
Strokes remain a significant health concern in the US, profoundly impacting mortality and quality of life.
Awareness of the signs and immediate intervention are paramount, but prevention remains our most potent weapon.
Through mindful lifestyle choices, like a balanced diet, regular exercise, abstaining from excessive smoking and alcohol, and managing existing health conditions, the risk of stroke can be reduced.
Proactivity and diligence in maintaining one’s health are invaluable, reinforcing the timeless adage: prevention is better than cure when safeguarding our brain’s well-being.
References:
- Ingall T. (2004). Stroke–incidence, mortality, morbidity and risk. Journal of insurance medicine (New York, N.Y.), 36(2), 143–152.
- Towfighi, A., & Saver, J. L. (2011). Stroke declines from third to fourth leading cause of death in the United States: historical perspective and challenges ahead. Stroke, 42(8), 2351–2355. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.621904
- Tadi, P., & Lui, F. (2023). Acute Stroke. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
- Pan, B., Jin, X., Jun, L., Qiu, S., Zheng, Q., & Pan, M. (2019). The relationship between smoking and stroke: A meta-analysis. Medicine, 98(12), e14872. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000014872
- Zhang, C., Qin, Y. Y., Chen, Q., Jiang, H., Chen, X. Z., Xu, C. L., Mao, P. J., He, J., & Zhou, Y. H. (2014). Alcohol intake and risk of stroke: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. International journal of cardiology, 174(3), 669–677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.04.225
