Are You a Candidate for Stroke?

I have never worried about having a stroke until awhile back. A dear friend of mine died after having a stroke. She was a trooper, and seemed to be getting better, and then while she was in a rehabilitation center, she died suddenly from a blood clot to the brain. She had always been so strong and full of energy.

There are some things one can do to reduce the risk of stroke listed below:

Cut down on salt intake:

One way to help eliminate some salt from your diet is to check the labels on chicken. Some chicken is being plumped with saltwater injections. I was not aware of this until I happened upon an article in a timely magazine. The best way to handle this is to be sure to read labels on all poultry products. If the label contains salt, carrageenan (a salty seaweed extract) or chicken broth, the bird has probably been pumped with sodium.

Drink More Water - Improve Circulation:

Adding more H2O, at least five glasses each day can lower your stroke risk as much as 53 percent. You can also drink a glass of red wine or purple grape juice every day. These liquids will help thin your blood, and stop the danger of clots.

Eat Fish Often:

Eat a lot of fish; find some recipes for a variety of ways to fix them. In doing this, you receive a generous amount of their omega-3 fats. Fish fats reduce inflammation and prevent plaque buildup in the brain. Blood clots can also go to the heart or lungs, where they can cause damage or even death.

Red Bell Peppers Can Protect Your Brain Cells:

Did you know that these sweet-tasting gems contain four times more vitamin C than oranges. Vitamin C reduces free radicals which contain molecules that are cell-damaging before they can attack blood-vessel walls in the brain. Also, it is best to get the vitamin C as part of the whole food, rather than through supplements.

Relax Blood Vessels - Cocoa:

Another good idea is to drink a comforting eight-ounce cup of cocoa every day - or eat a one ounce square of dark chocolate. This will help prevent artery-damaging blood pressure surges (from a new Swiss study). Chocolate is also rich in phenolics, natural plant compounds that prevent molecules from sticking to artery walls.
Lastly, But Not Least: Count calories if warranted.

Keep High Blood Pressure Under Control:

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of, if not the strongest of risk factors for stroke. You can reduce your risk of having a stroke by 42 percent by lowering your blood pressure five points. In order to lower your blood pressure, you may need to take one or more medications daily. The same conditions that cause heart attacks also cause strokes (high blood pressure and cholesterol build-up in arteries). You can improve your cholesterol by taking medication or change of diet.

Is Your Heart Rhythm Okay? :

If you have a heart-rhythm condition called atrial fibrillation, this is a high-risk factor for strokes. If your atrial fibrillation is persistent or recurrent, warfarin or an antiplatelet drug, such as aspirin, should be taken. Warfarin is the best medication for preventing a stroke, but it also can cause bleeding. Your doctor can evaluate your individual needs, risks and benefits of taking warfarin.

The most common signs of a stroke are:

Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs - on one side of the body.
Trouble speaking, with a feeling of confusion and slurred speech or trouble speaking.
Loss of balance. Dizziness and trouble walking.
Poor eyesight. A loss of vision in one or both of the eyes.
Headache. A sudden headache that occurs for no apparent reason.

If you, or another person experiences any of the above, seek medical attention immediately.

Sources:

Http://hamaraphotos.com/health/news/how-to-reduce-stroke-risk.html
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8772/21909.html
Woman's World Magazine - Feb. 22, 2010, p. 14, "Easy Safeguards Against Stroke,"
--- Barbara Kerns