8 lifestyle changes you can make to prevent your risk of stroke

A stroke happens when a part of the brain gets damaged because it is deprived of its blood supply. It is also one of the leading causes of death in Australia. 

Although older age, family history, being male, or priorly being diagnosed with stroke puts you in more danger of stroke, many people can prevent it by making slight changes in their lifestyle. 

While a person at high risk of stroke may be diagnosed with a team of professionals like a heart surgeon, spine surgeon, neurosurgeon, etc you can also consult your health care provider to see if you have a high-risk factor of stroke. 

Lifestyle factors that can increase your risk of having a stroke can include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, lack of exercise, high fat diet, and high salt diet, etc.

Here are 8 lifestyle changes that you can do to prevent a stroke:

1. Healthy diet.

Eating healthy meals and choosing healthy snacks instead of junk or unhealthy high-fat foods can help you prevent stroke. Healthy meals include fresh fruits, vegetables, and foods low in fat and high in fiber. It is recommended to not have too much of a single food particularly a portion of food that is high in sodium. 

2. Have a healthy weight.

Being obese or overweight is often linked with having high cholesterol and high blood pressure which can increase your odds of having a stroke. Go to your doctor to check your BMI(Body mass index) as that can help you determine if your weight is in a healthy range or not.

3. Exercise more.

Exercise or any physical activity will not only be able to help you stay at a healthy weight but will also lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or physical activity is often recommended each week for healthy adults.

4. Stop smoking.

Quitting smoking not only helps you improve your general overall health but it will also help you reduce the risk of stroke significantly. You can also ask your doctor to recommend you programs or give medications to quit smoking. 

5. Drink alcohol in moderation.

Although drinking a little alcohol is okay but if you are someone who cannot get by without drinking more than 3-4 glasses a day it is best to stop drinking alcohol completely. Excessive consumption of alcohol can trigger  irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure, both of which can increase the risk of heart stroke. 

6. Manage underlying conditions.

If you’re someone who is diagnosed with a condition or disease that can increase your chances of having a stroke, make sure you’re taking proper medications for it and keeping it under your control.

7. Control your diabetes.

Diabetes if not managed well can lead to clots or fatty deposits inside your brain cells that can cut blood supply to the brain and eventually lead to a stroke. 

So, if you have diabetes make sure to check your blood sugar levels regularly and take medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

8. Visit your health care provider or doctor each year.

Visiting your doctor at least once a year can help you keep your body and overall health in check. This can also help in diagnosing any issues or diseases early and can offset the potential harm.