Dr Dung Trinh, is an expert on preventive health, here he shares with SR Times lifestyle and diet changes to make to help prevent stroke.
Exercise
Get regular physical exercise to help maintain a healthy weight, lower cholesterol and reduce stress.
Diet
Eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and is low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium.
Smoking
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, which have been linked to increased risk of stroke. Limit your alcohol intake to one drink per day for women or two for men, as excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of stroke.
Stress
Reduce stress by practicing mindfulness techniques such as yoga or meditation.
Blood pressure
Monitor your blood pressure regularly and take medications as prescribed if you suffer from high blood pressure or other conditions that increase risk of stroke such as atrial fibrillation (also known as AFib) or diabetes.
Lipid levels
Have your doctor monitor your lipid levels through lipid panel testing and take medications to reduce these levels if necessary; high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol can increase your risk of stroke significantly over time.
Medical attention
Seek medical attention promptly if you experience any stroke symptoms such as sudden numbness on one side of the body, vision changes, confusion or slurred speech; early diagnosis can mean more effective treatment options are available when it comes to preventing further damage from a stroke event.
Sleep and fatigue
Make sure you get enough sleep so you don’t feel tired during the day; fatigue has been linked to increased risk for strokes due to its effects on overall health and lifestyle choices such as sleeping late into the day instead of getting up and exercising or making poor dietary choices out of exhaustion or boredom with an inactive lifestyle .
Speak to your doctor
Finally, talk to your doctor about your individual risks factors related to strokes such as age, gender , family history , etc., so they can help create a healthcare plan tailored specifically for you in order to reduce your chances of suffering from this life-threatening condition.
