Introduction
Stroke is a serious medical condition that can have life-altering consequences. It is important to be aware of the habits that can increase your risk of stroke, so that you can make changes to reduce your risk. Eating certain foods can increase your risk of stroke, while other foods can help to reduce your risk. This article will discuss the habits that increase your risk of stroke, and provide tips on what to eat and what to avoid in order to reduce your risk.
Habits That Increase Your Risk of Stroke — Eat This Not That
Stroke is a serious medical condition that can have life-altering consequences. It is important to be aware of the habits that can increase your risk of stroke so that you can make changes to reduce your risk. Here are some of the habits that can increase your risk of stroke and what you should eat instead.
Smoking
Smoking is one of the most dangerous habits when it comes to stroke risk. Smoking increases your risk of stroke by damaging the walls of your arteries, which can lead to a blockage. It also increases your risk of high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for stroke. Instead of smoking, try to find healthier ways to cope with stress, such as exercising or talking to a friend.
Eating Unhealthy Foods
Eating unhealthy foods can increase your risk of stroke by raising your cholesterol levels and increasing your risk of high blood pressure. Foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium should be avoided. Instead, focus on eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of stroke by raising your blood pressure and increasing your risk of atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat. It is recommended that men have no more than two drinks per day and women have no more than one drink per day. Instead of drinking alcohol, try drinking water or other non-alcoholic beverages.
Being Physically Inactive
Being physically inactive can increase your risk of stroke by raising your blood pressure and increasing your risk of obesity. It is recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. Instead of being sedentary, try to find ways to be active, such as taking a walk or going for a bike ride.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the habits that can increase your risk of stroke. It is important to be aware of these habits and make changes to reduce your risk. Eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can help reduce your risk of stroke.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Every 3.5 minutes, someone dies of stroke.” Salman Azhar, MD, Director, Stroke Program in Neurology at Staten Island University Hospital warns, “With strokes, every second counts. A stroke is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.” He adds, “Seeking immediate medical attention can help you minimize brain damage and other complications. If you are experiencing symptoms of a stroke, it is best to visit an emergency room with stroke centers, like that at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), that are committed to excellence and quality of care and services.” While the statistics for strokes is alarming, there are ways to help greatly lower the risk. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Azhar tells us, “Smoking makes you twice as likely to die if you have a stroke. The more you smoke the greater your risk of stroke. Tobacco smoke has many different effects on the body including thickening the blood, increasing the risk of blood clots and narrowing the arteries, as well as restricting oxygen in the blood.”
Dr. Azhar explains, “Being sedentary for 8 or more hours a day will lead to a 4-fold increase in stroke. This is because the lack of exercise leads to increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol all of which are directly tied to stroke.”
According to Dr. Azhar, “Drinking more than 2 drinks a day will lead to a 34% higher risk of stroke. But drinking even 1-2 drinks a day will significantly increase your risk of both clotting strokes as well as bleeding strokes. Alcohol can increase blood pressure and increase your risk of atrial fibrillation and that leads to clots in the heart that can cause strokes. In addition, heavy drinking can also increase your risk of making your blood not clot properly and that can lead to bleeding in the brain.”
Dr. Azhar says, “Eating salty foods or adding salt to your diet may increase your risk of stroke by 2 and a ½ times. This is because besides directly increasing risk of stroke, salt can increase your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure – two risk factors that directly lead to more strokes. In turn, eating much less salt or using salt substitutes directly reduces the risk of stroke.”
Dr. Azhar shares, “Eating too much red meat increases your risk of stroke by 28%. Red meat is thought to increase inflammation in the blood vessels and heart leading directly to more blood clots and a higher risk of stroke. Eating a Mediterranean diet will in turn help lower your risk of stroke.”
Heather Newgen