Reducing Your Risk of Stroke

So just what is a stroke? As a heart attack is to the heart, a stroke is to the brain. That's why strokes are often called a brain attack. If you have a stroke, your blood supply to the brain has been cut off. This happens typically in one of two different ways. One of the most common is by a blood clot that causes blockage or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts causing the blood to spill and never make it to its final destination.

Either way when part of the brain goes without the much needed blood for too long, your brain cells can become damaged and begin to die.

Preventing a Stroke

Their are many healthy lifestyle choices that you can begin making today that will help protect you from the risks of a stroke in your future years. These healthy life style changes include avoiding the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products which can damage your vascular system and raise blood pressure. Also consider limiting your salt intake. Be sure to get plenty of regular exercise and physical activity. When it comes to diet, consider a diet that is low in saturated fat and rich in fruits, vegetables and stick to low-dairy and non-fat dairy products.

Alcohol can have an effect on your risk of stroke as well so try to limit alcohol to two drinks a day if you are a man and one drink if you are a woman. Remember that one drink is just 12 ounces of beer, a 1.5 ounce shot of 80 proof vodka, or 5 ounces for a glass of wine.

By following each of these steps you can help keep your bodies vascular system healthy and reduce your blood pressure. Keeping your blood pressure regulated is the best way to to prevent stroke, and as a side benefit you will also reduce your risk for future heart attack as well.

The first step you should take is to get your blood pressure checked at a local pharmacy or clinic. Be sure to consult with your physician or family doctor as it's important to keep your blood pressure under control, and your physician can assist you in creating a diet or exercise plan that fits your lifestyle. For those who have trouble controlling their risks, there are also medications that your doctor can use to help give you a head start.