Improving your health starts by recognizing the risks. Some of the biggest killers in the world have commonalities that if you watch out for, you can stop them from happening.
Monitoring strokes is as important. When it comes to treating them, they’re costly and can be found soon enough. But if treatable, there’s a good chance you’ll find recovery sooner with the right treatment and lifestyle changes.
Now, let’s talk about the things you should watch for and how to treat them. We go into ten stroke risk factors, but in medical practice, you should see your physicians to examine you closely. To give you an overview, let’s discuss further.
1. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major component of stroke risk, as it damages the walls of the arteries and the heart. Modifying lifestyle can help to reduce the risk factors for stroke, such as exercising and eating a well-balanced diet. This can help to reduce the symptoms of hypertension by lowering blood pressure.
Reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption, losing weight, and quitting smoking help reduce risk. Certain medications can also be prescribed to help treat hypertension. These are diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
Having regular check-ups and tests can help to identify and manage any symptoms of hypertension, ensuring it is under control. Also, it may be beneficial to reduce stress and ensure adequate sleep.
2. Vestibular Disorders
Vestibular disorders can be caused by many factors, and ten major stroke risk factors can cause or exacerbate this condition. High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels can both contribute to the development of stroke as well as the development of vestibular issues.
Atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease, when present with other stroke risk factors, can increase the risk of a stroke. Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking or an unhealthy diet, can contribute to stroke risk and vestibular disorders. Diabetes and obesity, both seen with stroke, can also increase the risk for vestibular issues.
For those with stroke risk factors, lifestyle and dietary changes, along with increased physical activity, can help to reduce stroke risk and reduce the risk of vestibular issues. Medications and therapies may be necessary to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as control diabetes or atrial fibrillation. Visit this page for vestibular therapy.
Also, a plan for stress reduction can be beneficial for health, including reducing stroke risk and vestibular issues. Proper follow-up with healthcare providers is important to track progress with stroke risk reduction and treatment for vestibular disorders.
3. Family History
Family history is an important risk factor to consider when looking at a person’s stroke risk. Having a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has had a stroke puts an individual at an increased risk of having the same health issue.
If a person had a stroke themselves, their siblings, parents, and other close relatives need to be aware of the heightened risk. Any family history of high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes can also increase stroke risks. Thus, a family history physical should be done to determine one’s risk factors for stroke.
4. Smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor for stroke, as it increases the risk of having a stroke by two to four times. Quitting smoking is the best way to reduce your chances of experiencing an illness related to smoking.
You should also avoid secondhand smoke, as this still contains many of the same dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes. It may also help to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercising and maintaining a balanced diet.
Monitoring your cholesterol and blood pressure levels and speaking to your doctor about any medications that might help stop your urge to smoke is also important. There are many resources available to help individuals quit smoking and reduce their risk of stroke.
5. Diabetes
Stroke is a major and serious complication of diabetes, with stroke risk factors common in many individuals who have diabetes. Poor blood sugar control and high blood pressure are two of the major risk factors, as they can both put excess strain on the cardiovascular system.
Diabetes can also lead to an increased risk of blood clotting, higher levels of cholesterol, and changes in kidney function. To reduce stroke risk, individuals with diabetes should exercise, eat a balanced diet, quit smoking, and keep their blood sugar levels and blood pressure in check.
If someone experiences any of these risk factors, they should consult with a doctor to determine the best course of action to prevent a stroke. Regular monitoring and managing of all diabetes risk factors can help reduce the risk of stroke for those with diabetes.
6. Obesity
Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for stroke, yet education on how to treat or reduce these risks is lacking. Obesity is a growing health concern that can increase a person’s risk of stroke.
Poor nutrition, physical inactivity, genetic and familial disposition, hypertension, and other medical conditions can all be attributed to obesity and can contribute to stroke. Many studies have shown that someone who has a high body mass index (BMI) and is obese has an increased risk of having a stroke.
Diet and exercise are very important in managing obesity. Also, changing one’s diet to focus on healthy eating habits, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, can reduce a person’s risk.
Maintaining a healthy weight is key for promoting health, reducing stroke risk, and managing existing risk factors. Exercise is important. It boosts circulation and strengthens the heart and also helps with weight management.
7. High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is one of the most common stroke risk factors. Having high levels of this lipid makes it more likely that fatty deposits (plaque) will build up in the walls of the blood vessels leading to your brain (cerebral arteries). This reduces blood flow to the brain and increases the risk of stroke.
Usually, high cholesterol levels can be managed with lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity. Eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol can help lower the levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol. Regular aerobic exercise can aid in reducing the risk of stroke related to high cholesterol.
If lifestyle measures are unsuccessful, medications such as statins may need to be prescribed. Statins block the production of cholesterol and can help lower levels, as well as the risk of stroke. Additionally, monitoring and treating other factors associated with stroke risk such as high blood pressure and diabetes can help to reduce the risk of stroke in people with high cholesterol.
8. Sedentary Lifestyle
Sedentary lifestyles are a major risk factor for stroke. This type of lifestyle involves little to no physical activity and can be a contributing factor to the development of several other stroke risk factors. These are high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle can also lead to stress, depression, and anxiety, all which can contribute to stroke. To best reduce the risk of stroke related to a sedentary lifestyle, individuals should take part in regular physical activity such as walking or running for at least 30 minutes a day.
9. Age
In the medical field, there are ten stroke risk factors that are commonly seen in people aged 29 and younger. These risk factors can lead to an increased chance of a stroke and thus must be managed appropriately.
To treat these risk factors, it is important to stop smoking, follow a regular exercise routine, maintain a healthy diet, visit the doctor regularly, and take care of hypertension and diabetes. Performing regular health screenings, such as a cholesterol check, an MRI scan, or an echocardiogram, or therapies can also help to detect any changes in the body early on.
10. Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for stroke. The high-risk factors associated with alcohol and stroke include heavy drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol abuse.
All these risk factors can be addressed and reduced with lifestyle modifications. To reduce alcohol consumption, it’s important to limit how much you drink. Limiting yourself to one per day if you’re a man and less than one per day if you’re a woman is an ideal amount.
Also, it is important to maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and quit smoking. These lifestyle modifications can have a significant impact on reducing stroke risk factors associated with alcohol consumption.
Watch Out for These Stroke Risk Factors and Seek Early Treatment
By making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, and quitting smoking, individuals can reduce the risk of stroke. Physicians can help lower stroke risk by advising patients to have regular checkups, monitoring, and medication interventions. It’s important to be vigilant about your health and be aware of stroke risk factors. Take control of your well-being today to help avoid having a stroke. Speak to your doctor to learn more.