“Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability.” According to research, 80% of strokes are preventable.* Just being prepared for your stroke risk and healthy can save lives.
1) Lower Sodium Intake – Large sodium intakes increase blood pressure, which in turn can cause all that pressure to back up your vessels, triggering a burst or creating a clot. Read nutrition facts on your meals to keep counts below 2,300 mg (recommended by the USDA). Decrease salt intake in senior living diets.
2) Decrease Fatty Food Consumption – Most trans fats are very unhealthy for the human body. Trans fat can be found in foods that need a long shelf life, such as fast/fried/frozen food, soups, margarines and other spreads, etc. Trans fat decreases good cholesterol and increases bad cholesterol. Bad cholesterol contributes to build-up and clogs arteries. Good cholesterol removes the bad.
3) Workout – Exercising not only reduces the risk of a stroke but is also just good for you in general. Working out helps lung function, which also leads to better brain health, reducing the chance of blood clots. The American Heart Association recommends about 40 minutes of activity about 3-4 days a week to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Just remember, start somewhere! Shake less salt, focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, take the stairs and/or ride your bike. Something is better than nothing!
Sources
http://www.seniorliving.org/healthcare/4-ways-to-reduce-strokes/
