Understanding and reducing stroke risk

By Family Features
Posted on December 06, 2021

Strokes, the second-leading cause of death globally, affect millions of people each year. A stroke can cause lasting disability and unimaginable pain for those impacted and their loved ones.

This year, 14.5 million people globally will have a stroke and 5.5 million people will die as a result, according to the World Stroke Organization.

Learn how to reduce your risk for stroke, how to identify the signs and symptoms, and why timely response and treatment are critical.

What raises risk?

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). When either of these happen, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, causing brain cells to die.

While strokes can be devastating and deadly, up to 90% are preventable. By managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and atrial fibrillation (AFib); ceasing smoking; eating a healthy diet; getting regular exercise; and taking all prescribed medications, you can decrease your risk.

Treating AFib, an irregular heart rhythm disorder, is particularly important, as it is associated with a five-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke.

Signs and symptoms

When a stroke occurs, acting F.A.S.T. can help you get timely treatment needed to survive. That is to say, if you recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke — Face weakness, Arm weakness and Speech slurring — it’s Time to call for help.

While F.A.S.T. is a commonly used acronym to identify the signs of stroke, it is important to understand the relationship between a stroke and the time it takes to receive care.

Time is of the essence

When brain cells die, brain function is lost. In fact, 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute someone is having a stroke.

Quickly identifying signs of a stroke and seeking immediate treatment can save your life or reduce long-term disability. Reducing the amount of time between the onset of stroke and treatment can make a difference in how well your brain, arms, legs, speech and thinking are able to recover.

“Stroke can be a deadly and devastating neurological event,” said Mark Dickinson, worldwide president of Cerenovus, a division of Johnson & Johnson that offers a broad portfolio of devices used in the endovascular treatment of stroke. [Ed. Note: Cerenovus sponsored this article.]

“Yet when care and treatment is sought in a timely way, the chances of survival and recovery can increase significantly,” Dickinson said.

Treatment options

Seeking treatment for stroke immediately means you have more treatment options available to you, such as being eligible to receive tissue plasminogen activator or mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke. MT, a minimally invasive blood clot retrieval procedure, helps improve the chances you’ll survive an ischemic stroke and make a full recovery.

Treatment options for hemorrhagic stroke include surgery to remove, repair or clip a ruptured aneurysm.

To learn more about stroke, or find a doctor near you, visit bit.ly/strokestroke.

Healthy diet, lifestyle can prevent strokes

By Densie Webb

Studies show you can reduce your stroke risk by 80% by eating a healthful diet and making healthy lifestyle changes.

The risk for stroke increases with age, the incidence doubling with each decade after the age of 45. More than 70% of all strokes occur after the age of 65. Making healthy choices becomes even more important with each year that passes.

In the U.S. Health Professionals study and the Nurses’ Health Study, poor lifestyle choices accounted for more than half of all strokes.

Study participants who adhered to the five pillars of stroke prevention — did not smoke, had a body mass index of less than 25, took part in at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity, consumed alcohol in moderation or not at all, and scored within the top 40% of a healthy diet score — had an 80% lower risk of stroke compared with participants who followed none of those healthy diet and lifestyle measures.

An analysis of 13 studies found that following a Mediterranean-style diet alone — characterized by high amounts of olive oil, nuts, fruits, vegetables and cereal; moderate amounts of fish and poultry; low consumption of dairy products, red and processed meat, and sweets; and low to moderate consumption of wine — was associated with a 30% reduced risk of having a stroke.

Diet can reduce the risk of stroke in a variety of ways, including helping to lower blood pressure, lowering blood cholesterol and triglycerides (compounds that may clog arteries), preventing blood clots from forming, reducing inflammation, helping to regulate blood sugar, increasing the “good” bacteria in the colon, and aiding in weight management.

Diet is a critical part of stroke prevention, regardless of age. Pairing a healthy and balanced diet with the four other pillars of stroke prevention can significantly reduce your risk and protect your health against other disease conditions as well.

According to the American Stroke Association, one in four stroke survivors will have a second stroke. Because the risk of having a second stroke is high, following a healthy diet and lifestyle is the best approach for protecting your future health.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition.