Five Ways to Reduce Stroke Risk

In recent years, the number of women having strokes far exceeds the number of men having strokes. The ratio has changed due in part to fluctuating hormones, the tendency to have more belly fat and the female body's heightened sensitivity to stress, cigarette smoke and other stroke risk factors. Both men and women can reduce stroke risk with these five additions to their daily diet and lifestyle.

Eat Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is packed full of Flavonoids, which are protective compounds that cause blood vessels to relax and open up, which increases circulation. Flavonoids also prevent cholesterol from sticking to the walls of arteries. Eating just one-fourth of an ounce of dark chocolate each day can reduce the stroke risk by one-third.

Prevent Blood Clots with Coffee

Regular, decafe or instant coffee is packed with antioxidants that help stop the blood platelets from sticking together and forming a blood clot. Drinking one or two cups of your favorite coffee each day reduces the risk of a blood clot forming and going to the brain, causing a stroke.

Raisins Keep Arteries from Hardening

Raisins (or other dried fruit) are packed with potassium, potassium works to keep arteries from hardening. Potassium counteracts the artery hardening effects of sodium, keeping arteries supple and preventing strokes. Cantaloupe, avocados, bananas, spinach, baked beans and nuts are also high potassium foods that help prevent arteries from hardening.

Take Vitamin E Supplement

Vitamin E strengthens brain cells, making it easier for them to compensate for and overcome any interruptions in blood flow, like during the occurrence of a mini-stroke.

Look for vitamin E supplements labeled as 'natural' or 'mixed tocopherols' for the greatest stroke protection benefit.

Take a Daily Walk

We hear this repeatedly and tend to tune it out because of it's repetition - take a daily walk. The advice is repeated frequently because walking provides a multitude of health benefits, including reducing the risk of strokes. Walking 20 minutes a day at a pace which allows you to carry on a conversation offers greater stroke protection than speed walking or jogging. Daily walking also promotes weight loss which in turn will also reduce stroke risk.

Surprise Stroke Warning Sign

Studies have shown that people who have erratic blood pressure readings are more likely to have a stroke than people who have high, but steady, blood pressure readings. More artery damage is done by the surges in erratic blood pressure than by the steady pressure of constantly high blood pressure.

Sources: 30 Ways To Prevent Heart Disease

Swings in Blood Pressure