According to the American Stroke Association, strokes are the third leading cause of death, nationally, as it kills 150,000 Americans a year. Strokes are a form of cardiovascular disease that occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die. About every 40 seconds a stroke occurs and nearly 30 percent of strokes happen to people under the age of 65.
There are many risk factors associated with strokes. Among them are age, family history, diet, amount of exercise, lifestyle, and gender. Strokes tend to occur in men more often than women. There are several steps that you can take to reduce your risk of having a stroke. Many of them are easy to do, and will reduce your risk for many other conditions.
The first way to reduce your risk of having a stroke is to quit smoking. Smoking is not only the primary cause of many other diseases, such as cancer and emphysema, but it increases the likelihood of developing other medical conditions. By increasing blood pressure, smoking puts you at an increased risk for a stroke.
By simply decreasing the amount of salt or saturated fat in your diet, you can begin to combat the increased risk of stroke these can place on your body. In fact, the American Stroke Association recommends eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day, which has been shown to combat cholesterol levels and, therefore, decreasing your stroke risk. Finally, increase exercise and decrease alcohol intake, which both contribute to lessening your risks for a stroke.
These are easy steps to follow to help prevent the third leading cause of death in the United States. I encourage everyone, regardless of their age, to follow these tips and to live a healthier life.