8 Ways to Decrease Risk of Stroke
With the kind of diet we are on and the almost static lifestyle we follow, there are increased chances of people getting a stroke. A stroke can happen to anyone at any time and the best way to not get a stroke is to know about the symptoms and also try and prevent it from occurring. Prevention is better than cure and it helps to take some steps that would ensure that your risks of stroke are low. Here are some ways to decrease the risk of a stroke.
1. The first and important step is to get your blood pressure checked
Hypertension or high blood pressure can lead to a stroke eventually if you do not get it treated at the earliest. Get your blood pressure checked every chance that you get and you have to be extremely careful if hypertension runs in the family. With handy devices available you can even get it checked yourself.
2. Atrial Fibrillation or abnormality in the heart
Atrial Fibrillation or Afib is an abnormal heart condition that increases the chances of a stroke by 500%. Go to a doctor if you find anything abnormal about your heart or if you are feeling uncomfortable around the chest. A doctor can identify and treat the condition helping you prevent getting a stroke.
3. Cut down on the cigarettes or quit it altogether
Smokers have more chances of suffering from a stroke than non-smokers as smoking can damage blood vessel walls, speed up artery clogging, raise blood pressure and makes the heart work harder.
4. get your alcohol consumption under control or quit it altogether
Even though it is not as bad as smoking, alcohol too can contribute to you getting a stroke. You either drink in moderation or do not drink at all. If at all you want to drink, you should stick to 2 or 3 drinks a week.
