A number of health experts agree that when it comes preventing a stroke, exercise and diet may be the best way to do it. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and the careful avoidance of certain substances such as alcohol and tobacco, can reduce the risk of suffering from many serious problems. Not only is it advisable for you to focus on stroke prevention with diet and exercises, but you can also reduce your possibility of suffering from issues like atherosclerosis (when arteries get clogged with fatty residue), high cholesterol level, and high blood pressure. All of these factors are important when it comes to preventing strokes. If you have already suffered from a stroke at some point during your life, making the following changes can reduce the risk of suffering from further problems in the future.
Diet:
Stroke prevention with diet and exercises starts with a good understanding of your diet and which foods are better for you than others. A poor diet can significantly enhance your possibility of suffering from a stroke by substantially increasing your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. With that in mind, it’s generally a good idea to stick to a high-fiber, low-fat diet, full of vegetables and fruits. Many doctors actually recommend that those who are at high risk should follow a Mediterranean diet as a strategy for stroke prevention.
Whatever you choose to eat, remember that balance is important, and you should not be eating too much of a single food group. Furthermore, limit the amount of salt in your diet to no more than six grams a day, because salt can easily raise blood pressure.
Exercise:
The second part of stroke prevention with diet and exercises is learning how to engage in regular physical activity. Consistent exercise is a great way to help you ensure that your body remains at a healthy weight, as well as lowering your blood-pressure and cholesterol levels. Generally, it is recommended that adults get approximately two hours and 30 minutes of aerobic activity each week.
If you are recovering from or you have already suffered from a stroke, then it may be worth consulting with members of your rehabilitation team, or your doctor, about the exercise plans that could work for you.
Stop Smoking:
It’s important to remember that smoking increases your possibility of having a stroke significantly, because it has the effect of narrowing your arteries, and making your blood more prone to clotting. If you stop smoking, you may be able to reduce your risk of suffering from a stroke. What’s more, quitting smoking should also reduce the risk of developing other life-threatening diseases such as heart disease and lung cancer.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption:
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to higher blood pressure levels and trigger irregular heartbeat rhythms, both of which can improve your possibility of having a stroke. Furthermore, because alcoholic drinks are generally high in calories, they also go some way towards causing weight gain in regular drinkers.
According to scientific studies, drinking heavily on a regular basis can multiply your possibility of having a stroke by more than three times. If you do choose to drink, remember that men should not exceed any more than 4 units of alcohol a day, and women should not drink more than 3 units.
