HEALTHY LIVING Fix Your. . . Stroke Risk Types of Stroke. There are two
types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes occur when blood is blocked from reaching the brain. This blockage is typically caused by a blood clot or a piece of dislodged plaque, which is a buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits. Hemorrhagic strokes are the result of sudden bleeding in the
brain due to a burst artery caused by high blood pressure, which puts pressure on arteries, or an aneurysm, a balloon-like bulge in an artery.
WHY YOU ARE AT RISK High blood pressure. A leading
cause of stroke, blood pressure of 140/90 or higher can damage blood vessels that carry blood to the brain. High cholesterol. High levels
of “bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol cause plaque to build up. Diabetes. Too much sugar in
the blood damages blood vessels, nearly doubling the risk for stroke. Obesity. Obesity is linked to
higher LDL and lower “good” cholesterol levels, and high triglycerides (a type of blood fat). Age. The risk of stroke doubles
App May Identify Strokes in Real Time
A
new smartphone app called
FAST.AI detects a stroke by using algorithms to recognize common symptoms, such as drooping of facial muscles, arm weakness or numbness, and changes in speech. In a study of 270 patients, the app detected facial asymmetry in nearly 100% of patients and arm weakness in more than two-thirds of patients. Immediate treatment with clot- busting drugs is vital — patients treated within 90 minutes of their first symptoms are more than three times more likely to recover with little or no disability in comparison with those who received treatment more than 90 minutes after the start of symptoms. “These early results confirm the app reliably identified acute stroke symptoms as accurately as a neurologist,” said study author Radoslav I. Raychev, M.D.
92 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | JULY 2023
for each decade of life after age 55. Smoking. Smokers nearly double
their risk for an ischemic stroke. Medications. Blood thinners
raise the risk for a hemorrhagic stroke, and birth control pills can increase a woman’s risk of blood clots, which can lead to an ischemic stroke. Previous stroke or transient
ischemic attack (TIA). Your risk of stroke is higher if you’ve already had one, or if you’ve had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a “mini stroke.”
WHAT TO DO Eat a healthy diet. Eat a diet high
in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Watch your salt intake, and keep alcohol consumption in check — no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women — because alcohol raises levels of triglycerides. Lose weight. Lose excess weight,
especially around your waist and stomach. Exercise. A sedentary lifestyle
can lead to high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and other health problems that can lead to stroke. Drink black or green tea. Tea contains flavonoids, which can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. One study found that people who drank three cups a day had significantly fewer repeated strokes. Eat pomegranates. The Israeli Institute of Technology found that eating pomegranates when taking cholesterol-lowering drugs can help further reduce cholesterol. Take vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to ischemic strokes. Try magnesium. A study published in Hypertension found that magnesium may lower blood pressure. Consider garlic. Studies
have shown that garlic lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS If you are at risk for stroke, your doctor may prescribe medications, such as cholesterol-lowering statins, and/or advise specific lifestyle changes. If you think you could be having a
stroke, think F-A-S-T. The acronym stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911.
Sources: Mayo Clinic;
healthline.com; NIH; Johns Hopkins; WebMD; American Diabetes Association;
lancastergeneralhealth.org; and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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