Women Can Reduce Their Stroke Risk
If blood flow to the brain is
blocked, a woman suffers a stroke.
Deprived of oxygen and nutrients,
brain cells become injured or die.
Fortunately, women are not defenseless against stroke. There are several steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Q. Who needs to worry about stroke?
Every woman needs to take steps against this common enemy. However, women with a higher risk of stroke may want to be even more diligent about making healthy choices. This includes women who:- Are older than age 55
- Have diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or atrial fibrillation
- Are African-American
- Have had a previous stroke or a mini-stroke, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Have a family history of stroke
Additional risk factors include smoking and drinking excessively.
Q. How can you reduce your risk of stroke?
The following strategies can help protect against stroke:- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations for managing chronic diseases.
- Don’t smoke.
- Limit alcohol to one drink a day.
- Exercise at a moderate pace for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
- Choose whole grains. Eating two to three slices of whole-grain bread daily reduced a woman’s risk of stroke by 30 to 40 percent.
- Aim for at least five to six servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
- Get at least 600 milligrams of calcium daily from dairy products.
Women who consumed less than this were more likely to have a stroke.
Q. What are the signs of stroke?
Stroke symptoms include:- Numbness in your face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body
- Severe headache with no apparent cause
- Dizziness or loss of coordination
- Loss of vision or double vision
- Confusion or language difficulties
While this article is directed toward women, most of the information is applicable to both genders. If you experience any of these symptoms, even if they last only a few minutes, seek emergency medical help right away.
Click here to learn simple ways to include exercise in your daily routine.
