5 Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Your Stroke Risk!

If you are lucky enough to have survived, a stroke can be a lifelong disability, and it can happen out of nowhere to hurt you or someone you love.

And the charity, Think Ahead Stroke, provided five key lifestyle guides for reducing risk.

diet

One of the best ways to prevent strokes is to eat a healthy diet, which lowers your chances of developing three health conditions that are strongly associated with stroke:

High cholesterol level.

• hypertension.

Obesity.

This means you need to eat a “low fat, high fiber diet.” Here are the foods you should limit:

• salt.

• Canned fish in brine and smoked fish.

• Canned and salted meats and sausages.

• Butter, oils and fatty cream.

Salted nuts.

Sweet cookies.

• Bags of soup, bouillon cubes and sauces.

• Chips, pastries and cakes.

Grains that are sweet or high in salt, such as cornflakes.

• Cooked meals.

Instead, eat more:

• Foods flavored with herbs, spices and lemon.

• Fresh fish and canned fish in water.

• eggs.

• Lean meats, such as chicken and turkey.

Small amounts of olive oil and rapeseed oil.

• Cheese.

Unsalted crackers and nuts.

Fresh and dried fruits.

• Homemade soups and broths.

Potato, brown noodles and rice.

Bread rich in fiber or low in salt.

Fresh or frozen vegetables and beans.

Practice sports

It is another major stroke prevention tool, which means being active for 30 to 60 minutes a day, which “greatly reduces your risk of stroke.”

Stop smoking

The charity warned that “smoking doubles your risk of stroke” – quitting late is better than not quitting at all.

Ways to quit smoking:

1. Ask your family and friends to support you.

2. Stay away from places where you will be offered cigarettes.

3. Remember the benefits for you and your family.

4. Join a smoking cessation group.

5. Use self-help books.

6. Consult your doctor about prescription nicotine replacement, such as chewing gum, sprays, and patches.

Reduce your alcohol consumption

“Drinking a lot of alcohol can increase the risk of stroke,” added Think Ahead Stroke.

Manage other health problems

The ultimate lifestyle guide, provided by the charity, is to manage any other health issues you may be having right now.

Examples include: diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which increase the risk of stroke.

Source: Express