Healthy Lifestyle Choices for Stroke Prevention

12/6/2022

Strokes claim the lives of nearly 160,000 Americans each year. However, they can be prevented up to 80 percent of the time by adopting a healthy lifestyle and controlling risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.

According to the National Stroke Association, two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. Recognizing signs of a stroke and seeking immediate medical treatment is crucial for increasing the chance of survival and decreasing the chances of permanent disabilities. Signs of a stroke can come suddenly and include severe headache, dizziness, impaired movement, sight, speech and confusion.

To remember signs of a stroke, use the acronym F.A.S.T., which stands for face, arms, speech and time. If one side of a person’s face droops, they have difficulty raising one or both arms or their speech is slurred, it’s time to call 911.

Here are four healthy lifestyle habits to help prevent strokes:

• Don’t smoke: If you smoke, stop, and also avoid secondhand smoke. The risk of stroke increases 12 percent for every five cigarettes smoked a day. For black adults, smoking cigarettes more than doubles the risk of stroke compared to never smoking.
• Eat well: Prioritize eating high quality food like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and nuts while limiting foods with high cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fats.
• Exercise: The American Heart Association found those who are more active have a 25-30 percent lower risk of stroke. Exercising can be as simple as walking, gardening or riding a bike.
• Reduce alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure levels and triglycerides, a form of fat in the blood that can harden arteries. For women, limit alcohol to one serving per day, and two servings per day for men.

Lutheran Hospital is northern Indiana’s first certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, with an acute stroke team including neurointerventionalists, neurosurgeons and neurologists available 24/7; advanced imaging technology; efficient triage, diagnosis and treatment within the emergency department; stroke-dedicated beds and neuro ICU; a multidisciplinary team trained in stroke-specific care; and rehabilitation services offered seven days a week, including inpatient and outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

To learn more about stroke prevention and services or to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider to determine your risks, visit lutheranhospital.com/stroke-care or call (833) 546-4968.

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