How to Prevent a Stroke by Reducing Risk

By: Logan Shuping and John Noiseux

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Before you can reduce the risks associated with Stroke, you must first understand how one is triggered. A Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is an interruption of blood flow to areas of the brain due to a blockage or rupture. Strokes can cause physical impairments, cognitive changes, and social and emotional difficulties.

In the United States, each year approximately 795,000 people experience a stroke – for 610,000 of those, it’s their first stroke. A stroke is a serious medical emergency for which medical attention must be sought immediately.  It is possible to reduce the risk of stroke by paying attention to some of the risk factors for stroke. We can separate risk factors into two categories – the ones we can modify and those we can’t. 

Risk Factors That Can Be Modified for Stroke Prevention

High Blood Pressure: Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is the leading cause of stroke and the most controllable risk factor. This can be modified with diet, lifestyle changes and medication from your physician. Additionally, it is important to monitor blood pressure at home.

Cardiovascular disease (including Carotid Artery Disease (CAD) and Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)): The carotid arteries provide blood supply to the brain while peripheral arteries supply the arms and legs. A buildup of plaque can narrow these arteries, making them more susceptible to a blood clot. While cardiovascular disease increases your risk of stroke, the risk can be reduced by addressing behavioral factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. We speak more of these factors below.

Smoking Cigarettes & Vaping: Nicotine and carbon monoxide intake from smoking can increase your risk for a stroke and impair your recovery from a stroke. Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation to decrease your risk for a stroke.

Diet: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce your risk for stroke. On the other hand, diets high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol increase your blood cholesterol levels. A diet high in sodium increases blood pressure. It’s important to keep track of the food that you intake to make sure you are getting the proper levels for a healthy lifestyle. Speak with a licensed dietician to make sure you are optimizing your diet to meet your health goals.

Obesity: Obesity is linked with an increased risk of stroke, diabetes and heart disease. Maintaining a healthy weight is part of lifestyle changes to manage risk factors.

Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk for stroke, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Aim for 150 minutes of activity per week. Get up and move!

Alcohol Abuse: Limit alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for non-pregnant women.     

High Cholesterol: Buildups in cholesterol can cause narrowing and blockages in arteries, which may lead to stroke. Regularly check your cholesterol levels to ensure they are at safe levels.

Diabetes: It is important to control your blood sugar if you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Even though diabetes is treatable, the presence of the disease increases the risk for a stroke.

Atrial Fibrillation: Atrial fibrillation, also known as A-fib, is an abnormal rhythm of your heart. It can cause a clot to form in the heart that can travel to the brain, causing a stroke. This can be managed with medication from your physician.

Sleep Habits: Well-rested people tend to have a lower risk for heart disease and stroke. Try to adopt healthy sleep habits. If you are having trouble sleeping, consult with your doctor for ways to improve your sleep. In some cases, a sleep study may reveal any underlying factors that may be affecting your sleep.

Sickle Cell Disease (Sickle Cell Anemia): A genetic disorder where red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues and organs. They tend to stick to the walls of blood vessels and can cause a clot to form.  Persons with sickle cell disease can benefit from various types of cerebral vascular imaging to identify those at high risk. This, paired with transfusion therapy, can decrease the risk of stroke.

Risk Factors That Can’t Be Controlled to Help Prevent a Stroke

Even though we cannot change these risk factors, it is important to be aware of them.

Age: The chance of having a stroke increases with age. Although strokes are more common over the age of 65, they can still happen in younger adults, children and babies.

Family History: If a family member has had a stroke, especially at a young age, you may have an increased risk for a stroke.

Gender: Women have more strokes than men, especially at an older age, which is attributed to their longer life expectancy.

Prior Heart Attack: A heart attack is caused by a plaque build-up in the heart that blocks blood vessels. Prior heart attacks can be an indicator of other plaque build-ups in the vessels supplying the brain which could cause a stroke.

Prior Stroke: Someone that has had a prior stroke has a higher risk of having another one. Modifying risk factors is the best way to decrease risk of a future stroke.

Race: African Americans have a higher incidence of stroke partly due to higher risks of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): TIAs are also called “mini-strokes.” They produce symptoms similar to a stroke, but they are only temporary blockages and symptoms resolve within 24 hours. A person that has had a TIA is 10 times more likely to have a stroke than someone that hasn’t had one7. Nearly a quarter million Americans are seen annually for TIAs – with nearly a third not being seen by a physician within the first 24 hours. Studies have shown that early treatment after a TIA can reduce the 90-day risk of stroke by up to 80%. Treatment to reduce the risk of a future stroke can include medications that reduce clotting and lower blood pressure. This also includes procedures that surgically remove fatty deposits lining arterial walls.

Understanding, monitoring and addressing stroke risk factors can decrease your risk for a stroke in the future. Making healthy lifestyle changes, managing your medications appropriately, and visiting your physician on a regular basis can make a positive impact on your health and reduce your risk of stroke. If medical conditions or pain are making you unsure of how to start an appropriate exercise program to help lower your risk, a physical therapist can help!

If you or a loved one have suffered a stroke and need help in recovery, visit our stroke recovery page to learn more.

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