Want to Reduce Your Stroke Risk? Here are a Few Simple Steps
Anna, IL (May 13, 2022) – Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., but in many cases, steps can be taken to help prevent it.
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| Union County Hospital Emergency Department Director Mark Yates |
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lifetime risk of stroke for women between 55 and 75 in the United States is 1 in 5. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in women, and Black women are more likely to die from a stroke than Hispanic or non-Hispanic White women in the United States.
As a form of cardiovascular disease, stroke shares many of the same characteristics as heart disease. For instance, an ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease are both caused by the plaque buildup in the arteries. If this buildup occurs in an artery that supplies blood to your heart, it results in a heart attack. If the buildup blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain, it causes an ischemic stroke.
Understanding risk factors and making some lifestyle modifications can help reduce your stroke risk. Union County Hospital Emergency Department Director Mark Yates discusses the risk factors, breaks down the “FAST” acronym, and provides some healthy lifestyle changes.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association shows that pregnant women may significantly reduce stroke risk with a Mediterranean diet. Women who followed a Mediterranean diet saw a decrease in a stroke of roughly 20% compared with women who had different eating habits. And while the study was unclear whether it was diet alone or an overall healthy lifestyle that helped lower risk, the benefits of adding healthy food choices to your diet are clear.
Make it Mediterranean
The benefits of a Mediterranean diet apply to men and women alike.
Here are some simple ways to add some color and nutrition to your plate:
- Load up on colors—phytochemicals, the colors in fruits and
vegetables, can increase the number of vitamins and minerals in your
diet.
- Add an additional serving of fresh and simply prepared vegetables to your meals.
- Choose poultry, fish, and plant-based proteins rather than red meats.
- Cook with olive oil rather than butter.
- Limit your sugar intake by making desserts with fresh fruit.
- Make your bread, pasta, and cereal whole wheat, or try different whole grains, such as brown rice or quinoa.
- Snack on nuts and fresh vegetables with hummus rather than chips or crackers.
A nutrient-rich diet makes a significant difference in overall
health. But exercise matters too. Be sure to take some time to
exercise—at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise
weekly, with your physician’s guidance, to boost the effectiveness of a
Mediterranean diet. The National Institute of
Health recommends aiming for a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9.
Stroke and heart disease also share many of the same risk factors, including:
- Age
- Pregnancy and Eclampsia
- Ethnicity or race
- Excessive alcohol use
- Genetics
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Migraines
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Stress
“Strokes can leave you permanently disabled, but many strokes are preventable and treatable. It is important to know how to act “FAST” when someone is having a stroke,” explains Yates. Here are the signs and actions to take:
- Face: One side of the person’s face droops when he or she is asked to smile.
- Arms: One of the person’s arms drifts downward when he or she is asked to lift both arms.
- Speech: The person’s speech is slurred or difficult to understand when he or she is asked to repeat a simple sentence.
- Time: Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the above symptoms.
Some women may experience subtler symptoms that can be easier to miss. These may include:
- Confusion or disorientation
- Fatigue or general weakness
- Memory issues
- Nausea or vomiting
“A trip to the ED is never something we want to do, but when illnesses and injuries are life-threatening or severe, you want to be somewhere that is equipped to handle those life-threatening conditions” said Yates. “Union County Hospital’s Emergency Department is open 24/7 and prepared to treat and care for your emergent needs.”
About Union County Hospital
Union County Hospital is your community healthcare provider; a 25-bed facility with complete inpatient and outpatient care including emergency, medical and surgical services. Union County Hospital is a Joint Commission accredited facility and offers a wide range of services, including diagnostic, medical, surgical, and emergency services.
Union County Hospital is home to the Union County Podiatry Clinic, Union County General Surgery Clinic and Convenient Care Clinic. To learn more, call 618-833-4511 or visit UnionCountyHospital.com.