Are You at Risk of Stroke?

What actually is stroke? It is a disease condition that affects the arteries leading to the brain and also affects the arteries within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or when that particular blood vessel bursts. And when this happens, certain parts of the brain are not able to receive the blood and oxygen, they need, so these parts of brain starts to die.

Factors of Stroke:
Age: The chances of having a stroke gets double for each decade of life, specially after the age of 55. Moreover, stroke is common among the elder people, a lot of people under 65 also have strokes.

Heredity and race: Chances of stroke is greater if a parent, grandparent, brother or sister has had a stroke.

High blood pressure (hypertension): High blood pressure is one of the commonest risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, as it weakens and perhaps even damages blood vessels in the brain.

Elevated blood cholesterol: High levels of bad cholesterol, increases the risk of stroke because of atherosclerosis of the arteries. High levels of triglycerides, may also increase the risk of stroke due to atherosclerosis. On the other hand, high levels of good cholesterol, reduces the risk of stroke from atherosclerosis by filtering out the cholesterol through the liver.

Cigarette smoking: Smokers are at a greater risk of stroke, as nicotine present in the cigaratte increases the heart rate and blood pressure.

Diabetes: Diabetes is another significant risk factor for stroke. When you are diabetic, your body is unable to handle glucose properly and in turn process fats efficiently. These diabetes side effects increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Ways to Lessen the Risk of Stroke:
Eat a healthy diet: Healthy food habits is one of the easiest ways to reduce three risk factors for heart disease and stroke - high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and excess body weight.

Burn at least as many calories as you take in: Start calculating the total calories you take in, as this will show you the clear picture of the total calories consumed and burned by you. It is always advised that don't eat more calories than you know you can burn up each day.

Eat a variety of nutritious foods from all the food groups: You are required to take a balanced diet which means eating food from all the food groups. Nutrient-rich foods have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but are lower in calories.