In the United States, every 40 seconds someone suffers from a Stroke and every 4 minutes someone passes away from a Stroke.
While statistics show that Stroke death rates have fallen over recent years, it still remains the third leading cause of death and the number one cause of long-term disability in the United States.
What might be even more surprising, is the fact that nearly 80% of Strokes are preventable.
So, the question is, if most strokes are preventable, why are they still happening?
It’s simple, they still happen because the general public has a lack of awareness surrounding them. Considering this, every May, health professionals around the world join forces to raise awareness about the causes and effects of Strokes during the month-long campaign known as World Stroke Month.
To help do our part, we wanted to share with you the two most important steps everyone should know to help prevent strokes.
Step 1: Preventative Measures You Can Take to Reduce Your Risk of Stroke
Step 2: The Warning Signs and Symptoms of Strokes
Keep reading, it could save you or a loved one’s life. Let’s get started.
Preventative Measures for Reducing Stroke Risk
While the statistics surrounding strokes are dire, as we mentioned earlier the good news is that roughly 80% of strokes are preventable when one takes the correct precautions. Here’s four great ways you can reduce you and your elderly loved one’s risk of suffering a Stroke.
- Manage Blood Pressure- High blood pressure is the number one leading cause of Strokes. In fact, having high blood pressure can double or even quadruple your risk of a Stroke. Your goal should be to maintain a blood pressure level of less than 135/85. To do this you should: minimize salt in your diet, avoid high cholesterol foods, eat more fruit, and exercise.
- Stay Active- Not only does exercising on a regular basis help you maintain a healthy blood pressure; it also helps you maintain a healthy body weight. Both of which can greatly reduce your risk of a Stroke. Experts recommend 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise for a minimum of 5 days a week.
- Minimize Vices- Smoking and excessive consumption of booze both greatly increase one’s risk of experiencing a stroke. For drinking, men should consume no more than 2 drinks a day and women should only consume 1 a day. As far as smoking goes, we recommend consulting with a doctor to figure out how to quit them completely since tobacco doubles your risk of Stroke.
- Eat Healthy- Eating a diet of fresh fruit and veggies, lean protein and minimal salt as well as minimal trans and saturated fats will not only help you maintain a healthy body weight but also lower your blood pressure, effectively reducing your risk of a stroke.
Now that you have an understanding of the four main lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of a Stroke, let’s discuss how to spot the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke.
Research has found that every minute a Stroke goes untreated nearly 2 million brain cells die. Considering this, having an awareness of prevention methods and warning signs can ultimately save the life of you or your elderly loved one.
If you notice any of the symptoms below, it is recommended to call 911 ASAP:
- Numbness or weakness. This often happens on one side of the body.
- Confusion or trouble speaking
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Loss of balance and coordination
- A sudden onset, severe headache
It is also common for men and women to display different symptoms. In some cases, women may additionally have the following sudden onset symptoms:
- Hiccups
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
Health experts understand that these symptoms can be hard to remember, especially in an emergency situation, so they came up with the acronym FAST which stands for:
F- Face Drooping
A- Arm Weakness
S- Speech Difficulty
T- Time to Call 911
Now that you know the two most important steps to reduce you and your loved one’s risk of Strokes the hard work begins. The road to Stroke reduction isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.
If your elderly loved one has experienced a stroke or is at a high risk, it may be time to consider a new living situation for them.
Here at Restoring Hope, we are committed to helping you find Mom or Dad an adult family home that best fits their needs. Best of all, it’s free.
Click the button below to schedule your free consultation.
