What is a stroke?
A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack." A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked. Without blood, the brain can't work correctly.
Signs of a stroke:
· Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance
· Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
· Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
· Feeling numb or weak in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
· Sudden severe headache
Risk factors for a stroke:
· High blood pressure
· High cholesterol
· Heart disease
· Diabetes
· Smoking
· Being overweight
Steps to reduce your risk of stroke:
1. Eat healthily.
Follow a healthy diet to help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Cut down on foods high in salt and saturated fat.
2. Get active.
Being active every day will help you stay at a healthy weight. Do moderate aerobic activities for two and a half hours a week.
3. Quit smoking.
Not smoking is one of the best things you can do to prevent stroke. After you quit smoking, your risk of stroke starts to go down.
4. Drink alcohol only in moderation.
Drinking too much can put you at risk for high blood pressure, which is the major cause of stroke. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit your drinking to no more than one drink a day for a female and two drinks a day for a male.
5. Talk with a doctor about taking aspirin every day.
Aspirin can improve the flow of blood to the heart and brain, which helps reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. But aspirin is not recommended for everyone. Your doctor can help you decide whether aspirin is the right choice for you.
