The risk of getting a stroke increases with your age, nearly 70% of all strokes occur above the age of 65. With nearly 800,000 Americans experiencing a stroke annually, it’s no wonder that stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the U.S. To put this in perspective, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every 4 minutes, someone dies of a stroke.
There are plenty of ways a senior can avoid getting a stroke from occurring: and if the situation is unavoidable there are numerous steps a person can do to fully recover from a previous stroke that occurred. Read this blog to know more about senior stroke prevention tips.
Stroke Prevention: Lifestyle Changes
Making these small changes in your lifestyle can prevent you from getting a life taking health condition and make sure your body is healthy.
Healthy Diet Intake:
The healthier you eat the more positive impact you get on your heart. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables over preservatives is the start to a healthy diet. Reducing your intake of foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium can help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, both of which contribute to heart disease and stroke
Healthy Body Weight:
Maintaining healthy weight is the key to healthy lifestyle. Obesity, as well as the complications linked to it (including high blood pressure and diabetes), raises your odds of having a stroke. Make sure your BMI is normal and get your blood pressure checked regularly and work with your healthcare provider to manage it if it’s high.
Daily Physical Activity:
Physical activity is a major lifestyle factor that you would have to change if you are not physically active daily. Try to aim for at least 30 min of activity daily. The American Stroke Association recommends working in at least 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week, as well as taking movement breaks during the workday in order to “offset the serious health risks of being sedentary.” Whether walking, dancing, bike riding or swimming, the importance isn’t which activity you choose, it’s simply that you choose to participate regularly. Try to reduce stress and make your body feel relieved.
No Smoking/Vaping:
You shouldn’t be shocked No smoking is on the list. Smoke is the key to many health conditions and stroke is a big one. Cigarette smoking greatly increases your chances of having a stroke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for stroke. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.
Limited Alcohol Consumption:
Avoid drinking too much alcohol, overuse of alcohol can raise your blood pressure. Men should have no more than two drinks per day, and women only one. It would be more beneficial if you have zero consumption of alcohol. For more information, visit CDC’s Alcohol and Public Health website.