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Diet and Nutrition:
A high level of “bad” cholesterol in the bloodstream
is a major risk factor for stroke. The primary way that
cholesterol enters our bodies is through fats in the food
we consume, which is why a sensible, balanced diet is
so important. Studies also link high levels of
sodium (salt) in the diet – already known to increase
blood pressure – with increased risk of stroke.
Physical Activity:
Physical activity helps control many of the risk factors
associated with stroke, while lack of physical activity
can contribute to them. By improving blood circulation,
exercise enhances the body’s ability to use oxygen,
which helps to reduce blood pressure. Regular physical
exercise has been shown to increase “good”
cholesterol levels, decrease triglyceride (body fat)
levels, and help manage body weight (prevent obesity).
Smoking:
Smoking increases your chance of suffering a stroke
and contributes to a variety medical disorders linked
to stroke, such as cardiovascular disease. Nicotine
(the addictive element in cigarettes) raises blood pressure
and the likelihood of developing hypertension. Cigarette
smoke — which contains more than 4,000 chemicals,
including 43 known to cause cancer — thickens
the blood, making it more likely to clot.
A study published in the May 2003 issue of Stroke,
a journal of the American Heart Association, showed
that the risk of stroke increases incrementally depending
on how many cigarettes a day you smoke. The study also
revealed that former smokers and those who had never
smoked had the same risk of all three kinds of stroke,
suggesting that quitting smoking can reduce the risk
of stroke.
Even environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or secondhand
smoke, has been linked to increased risk of stroke because
it contains the same harmful chemicals that smokers
inhale. ETS includes mainstream smoke – the smoke
that is drawn through the mouthpiece of a cigarette
then exhaled into the air by smoker – and side
stream smoke, which comes from the burning tobacco in
cigarettes.
Substance Abuse:
Use of certain illegal or controlled substances has
been shown to increase the risk of certain types of
stroke — particularly hemorrhagic stroke. Cocaine
(“crack” in its smoked form) causes a severe
elevation of blood pressure that can rupture a blood
vessel leading to or inside of the brain. Smoked amphetamines
— such as crystal meth and ice — as well
as any illicit drug injected into the bloodstream also
can produce stroke.
Among adolescents and young adults, an increasing percentage
of strokes occur in relation to drug use.
Alcohol Consumption:
Studies show that heavy use of alcohol – defined
as two drinks or more a day – can dramatically
increase blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension)
is a major risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke. In fact,
studies suggest that heavy alcohol use may increase
more than tenfold the chances of suffering a subarachnoid
hemorrhage (SAH).
Obesity:
Obesity increases the chance of suffering hypertension
and high blood cholesterol, both of which are significant
factors in stroke. Some research suggests that even
modest weight gain over the ideal weight, such as 24
to 43 pounds over 16 years, doubles the chances of suffering
a stroke.
Diet and physical activity are the primary treatments
for obesity.
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Prevention
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