While some stroke risk factors, such as age, race and family history, cannot be changed, we can still reduce our risk for strokes by managing or controlling other risk factors. The American Stroke Association estimates that 80 percent of strokes are preventable, meaning that each year up to 600,000 Americans could have prevented their strokes. Here are the top 10 ways to reduce your risk for stroke.
1. Control Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is considered the most important controllable stroke risk factor. Dr. Craig Weber, About.com's Guide to High Blood Pressure, recommends regular blood pressure checks for everyone. If you do have high blood pressure, it is important to take your medications and regularly monitor your blood pressure.- Blood Pressure Medications for Stroke Prevention
- About High Blood Pressure - To learn more about high blood pressure visit the About.com High Blood Pressure section.
2. Don't Smoke
Smoking damages blood vessel walls, raises blood pressure and doubles the risk for stroke.- About Smoking Cessation - Quitting smoking is never easy. To learn about your options, develop a plan and find a support group, visit the About.com Smoking Cessation section.
3. Control Your Diabetes
Having diabetes increases the risk for stroke and other diseases. Many people with diabetes are also overweight, have high blood pressure and/or high blood cholesterol, which increases their risk for stroke even more.- About Diabetes - to learn more about how to manage diabetes visit the About.com Diabetes section.
4. Get Treatment for Carotid and Other Arterial Diseases
The carotid arteries are the two main arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease, a stroke risk factor, is a narrowing of the arteries, usually caused by atherosclerosis. A surgical procedure, known as carotid endarterectomy, can reduce the risk of having a stroke.Peripheral artery disease is the narrowing of the arteries in the legs, also caused by atherosclerosis. People with peripheral artery disease have an increased risk for carotid artery disease and stroke.5. Get Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm where the atria of the heart (the heart's two small upper chambers) quiver instead of beating. The blood that travels through the atria can pool or clot because it is not pumped out completely. About 15 percent of strokes are in people with atrial fibrillation when part of a blood clot leaves the atria and travels to the brain.- Stroke Prevention is Focus of New Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines
- About Heart Disease - In-depth information about atrial fibrillation by Dr. Rich, About.com Guide to Heart Disease
6. Manage Chronic Heart Disease
People with coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), heart valve disease and some types of congenital heart defects also have an increased risk for stroke and should work closely with their doctor to manage their disease and risk for stroke.- About Heart Disease - For more information on chronic heart diseases visit the About.com Heart Disease section.
7. Maintain a Normal Weight and Exercise Regularly
Inactivity and/or obesity increase the risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.- About Weight Loss - Visit the About.com Weight Loss section for healthy and practical weight loss ideas.
- About Walking - Visit the About.com Walking section for information and motivation to start your walking program.
- About Exercise - Visit the About.com Exercise section for more information about exercising and beginning an exercise program.
8. Control Your Blood Cholesterol
High blood cholesterol can clog arteries and increase stroke risk. It can also lead to heart disease, which is also increases the risk for strokes.- Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol
- About Cholesterol - For more information about managing your blood cholesterol, visit the About.com Cholesterol section.
9. Eat a Healthy Diet
Poor diet choices can contribute to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity, all stroke risk factors. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce stroke risk.A Stroke Journal article recommends the Mediterranean diet style for stroke prevention, stating that it has been shown to reduce stroke and myocardial infarction by 60 percent in 4 years compared with the American Heart Association diet.
- Diet Changes Lower Cholesterol as Effectively as Statin Drugs
- Ten Foods That May Help Prevent Strokes
- About Nutrition - Visit the About.com Nutrition Section to learn more about developing a healthy diet.
10. Manage Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes the red blood cells to have an abnormal shape and can cause the blood to clump together or clot, which can cause a stroke. Children with Sickle Cell Anemia are 200 to 400 times more likely to have a stroke. Approximately 11 percent of children born with the most severe form of sickle cell disease will have a stroke by age 20.- Sickle Cell Disease Information and Treatments from Mary Kugler, MSN, RN, BC, About.com Guide to Rare/Orphan Diseases.
Sources:
"Stroke Risk Factors." American Stroke Association. 6 Mar 2007.
"Stroke Risk Reduction." National Stroke Association. 6 Mar 2007.
Marc Fisher, MD; Kennedy Lees, MD, Section Editors: J. David Spence, MD, FRCPC , "Nutrition and Stroke Prevention." Stroke 2006;37:2430.27 JUL 2006.
"Sickle Cell Disease." American Stroke Association. 6 Mar 2007.
"Stroke Risk Factors." American Stroke Association. 6 Mar 2007
"Stroke Risk Reduction." National Stroke Association. 6 Mar 2007
Marc Fisher, MD; Kennedy Lees, MD, Section Editors: J. David Spence, MD, FRCPC , "Nutrition and Stroke Prevention." Stroke 2006;37:2430.27 JUL 2006
"Sickle Cell Disease." American Stroke Association. 6 Mar 2007
