BEFORE Stroke: Prevention & Awareness

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood circulation to the brain fails. This lack of blood circulation results in a lack of oxygen in the brain, killing brain cells. There are two main types of stroke:

1) Ischemic: when there is a block in the neck or a blood vessel in the brain. This accounts for the majority of strokes

2) hemorrhagic: when blood pools in the brain, disrupting circulation but also adding extra pressure, additionally harming brain cells.

All of the following can increase your chances of having a stroke. Click on each item below to learn more.*

High and uncontrolled blood pressure can drastically increase your chances of having a stroke. Diet and exercise are great ways to help control your blood pressure. You may also want to consult with your doctor if medications, like diuretics, vasodilators, or ACE inhibitor’s, are right for you.

For more information on diet and lifestyle changes that can help you control your blood pressure, see the section below on “General Tips and Resources.”

Quitting can be difficult, but doing so will not only reduce your chance of stroke, but also decrease your chance of other health risks. There are different methods to quitting, including nicotine replacement therapy, joining a program, or even doing it on your own. To learn more about different options available to you, visit tobaccofreeflorida.com

Adults with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to have a stroke than people who don’t have diabetes.
To help reduce your diabetes stroke risk, you can

  • Check your blood glucose often and make sure it is within a healthy range (less than 140 mg/dl)
  • Get enough sleep to maintain health and energy
  • Keep all your medical appointments
  • Try to maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise and a healthy diet.

One in ten adults in the US have high cholesterol. This is caused by eating too many food that are high in saturated or trans fats.

By eating these foods too frequently, the excess cholesterol builds up as deposits in your arteries, and its these blockages that can then lead to a clot forming and you having a stroke. Being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting your alcohol and tobacco consumption can all help reduce your cholesterol, in addition to maintaining a healthy diet.

  • Eat foods high in fiber like beans, fruits, vegetables, and try to get at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day
  • Cut back on foods with a lot of saturated fats like full-fat dairy products, sweets, fatty meats
  • Try swapping out vegetable and corn oils for either olive oil or rapeseed oil

For more information on diet and nutrition, go below to the “General Tips and Resources” section.

Talk to your doctor if you are having issues controlling your cholesterol, as there are treatments available.

Obesity is measured by body mass index, waist circumference, or waist-to-hip ratio. It can increase the risk of stroke by limiting blood flow and increasing the risk of a blockage.

Diet is one of the most important factors in preventing obesity, but to also lose weight if you are already obese. Dietary changes can include swapping high-calorie, processed foods for more fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Also make sure to emphasize lean proteins like beans, lentils, fish, and lean meats. Many insurance companies will cover costs for nutritionists as well to help in planning your diet.

Counseling or support groups are also great tools to use. You can speak with your doctor to see if medications or procedures are right for you.

People with heart disease have 2-4 times greater chances of experiencing a stroke. Like many of the other risk factors listed, this can largely be controlled through proper diet and exercise. But, reducing your alcohol consumption, giving up smoking, and taking appropriate medication can also reduce your risk of having heart disease, and therefore stroke.

To learn tips on how to prevent stroke, visit: AHA Stroke Prevention Lifestyle

Diet & Nutrition:

  • Diet: Eating a heart-healthy diets can help control your blood pressure and prevent other health complications, like helping to control diabetes. Try reducing saturated and trans fats, alcohol, salt, fatty meats, and foods with added sugars. An example of a heart-healthy diet is the DASH Eating Plan 
  • Nutrition: To better understand nutrition labels, click here 

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Consult your doctor if you are worried about any of the items above, and work with them

to make the best plan for you to be healthier and reduce your chance of stroke.