A stroke happens when blood flow has been cut off from part of the brain, depriving the brain cells of oxygen and damaging them.
Strokes are not inevitable and seniors can take some measures to help reduce their risk.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Watch Your Blood Pressure: The leading cause of most strokes is High Blood Pressure — So keeping it in check is very important. Try to maintain a blood pressure of 120 over 80 or less to prevent high risks of stroke. Check your blood pressure ofter at your local pharmacy and talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions. Check out our blog for some tips to avoid hypertension: https://www.canes.on.ca/blog/hypertension-how-avoid-it
2. Watch Your Cholesterol: If you have high cholesterol levels, it can lead to obesity, which raises the risk of having a stroke. Seniors should try to keep height and weight proportionate by maintaining a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less. The best way to attain the ideal BMI and keep cholesterol levels down is through regular exercise and a healthy diet.
3. Quit Smoking: The toxins in cigarettes increase clot formation, thickens the blood, and increases the amount of plaque buildup in the arteries. This means, smoking doubles your risk of stroke when compared to nonsmokers. But that’s not all, smoking also increases the effects of other stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Check out our blog for some tips on how to kick this habit: https://www.canes.on.ca/blog/quitting-smoking
4. Eat More Veggies: Vegetables are not only a tasty add-on to your meal they go a long way in protecting you from strokes. Vegetables contain folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12. These vitamins help reduce levels of blood homocysteine, amino acids that, when levels are too high, can increase stroke risk. Seems like a great time to have a salad!
5. Baby Aspirin: Talk to your doctor before starting any daily medication. Studies show that senior women who take a baby aspirin daily may have a lower risk of getting a stroke. A low dose of aspirin can alter the blood’s natural clotting action and reduce the risk of stroke. This method, however, is not effective for senior men.
Remember, if you have a brain you can have a stroke —at any age! It’s never too early/or late to take measures toward preventing strokes.
Please know the signs of stroke and seek help right away if you or a loved one is presenting signs.
