How to Prevent a Stroke: A Guide to a Healthy Body

There are ways to prevent a stroke. It might not be 100% guaranteed, but staying healthy helps save many lives each year. Strokes are a major health threat for Americans. An estimated 160,000 people in the United States die due to strokes. Many others face permanent disabilities because of strokes. A person's lifestyle has a lot to do with whether or not they are at risk. You can significantly reduce your chances of having a stroke by leading a healthy lifestyle.

Experts estimate that the vast majority of strokes occur because arteries in the brain become clogged. These are known as ischemic strokes. You can help prevent a stroke by controlling your blood pressure. High blood pressure causes damage to the brain's blood vessels. This can cause the blood vessels to become clogged or to burst. In fact, a person who has high blood pressure is eight times more likely to have clogged arteries in the brain.

A change in diet can help bring a person's blood pressure levels down and help prevent a stroke. The American Heart Association recommends a diet that is rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. The magnesium and potassium contained in fruits and vegetables can help regulate blood pressure.

Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of having a stroke should give up smoking. Smoking is damaging to the arteries. A smoker who has high blood pressure is at high risk for having a blood vessel in the brain rupture.

Exercise offers protection against strokes. It's good for the arteries and stops plaque from forming in the blood vessels. Regular physical activity can cut a person's risk of having a stroke in half. You don't have to endure a rigorous exercise routine in order to reap the benefits. A 30 minute brisk walk is enough to help prevent a stroke. Other activities that can be equally beneficial include biking, swimming, dancing, and gardening. A person who has already had a stroke can reduce their risk of having a second stroke by staying physically active.

Researchers have found that aspirin can help prevent a stroke. That's because aspirin stops the formation of blood clots that can lead to strokes. Recent studies suggest that taking aspirin daily can cut a person's risk of having a stroke by nearly 30 percent.

Limit your intake of alcohol. Experts say that it's okay to drink one or two glasses of alcohol a day. In fact, one glass of red wine a day is actually good for the arteries. But if a person drinks more than that, they are dramatically increasing their risk for a stroke. So, do your best to take care of yourself, limit certain activities and you are on your way to prevent a stroke along with many other illnesses.

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