Let's take care of our blood vessels, and then we will not only reduce the risk of stroke, but also protect the heart from a heart attack and stay young longer. In the prevention of stroke, it will help to lower blood pressure, lose excess weight, exercise, reduce red meat and alcohol, quit smoking.

Stroke prevention: lower blood pressure

There is a direct and clear link between hypertension and(ischemic and hemorrhagic) strokes . Fortunately, high blood pressure can be successfully treated. Often, it is enough to just changedietand start moving. We advise you: The pressure should not exceed the value of 140/90. Lowering the systolic (upper) pressure by 20 mmHg, and diastolic (lower) pressure by 10 mmHg, reduces the risk of strokes by more than 40%. Regular use of medications that lower blood pressure can reduce the risk by another 25-30%.

Stroke prevention: lose excess weight

It has been proven that women whose waist circumference exceeds 81 cm have 60 percent. greater chances of developing high blood pressure and thus the risk of stroke increases. The same applies to men with a waist over 101 cm. We advise you: Every kilogram you lose brings you closer to he alth. Don't follow miracle diets or diet pills, but limit the number of calories you eat. Give up white bread and sweets. Eat less s alty and spicy.

Stroke prevention: keep sugar captured

People withdiabetesare at greater risk of stroke because the disease itself damages blood vessels. We advise you: Modern methods of treating diabetes keep sugar within the normal range, so you can avoid serious vascular complications and avoid a stroke.

Stroke prevention: avoid stress

We know that stress destroys the body, but we do not fight it effectively. Under the influence of stress, an excess of adrenaline is produced. This causes more blood to flow to the muscles, including the heart. Blood pressure rises quickly, and this - especially if it lasts a long time - has a very bad effect on the blood vessels. Our advice: The less stress, the more he alth. Learn to fight it effectively. A walk before bedtime, meeting friends or going to the cinema will help. Defend your free time. Most of all, nowork on your days off and take your vacation.

Important

Don't take any chances - around 75,000 have a stroke each year Poles. Per 100,000 177 men and 125 women were affected by the stroke. It usually occurs after the age of 65. Stroke is the third cause of death in Poland, as well as in the world, and the main cause of disability in people over 40 years of age. But recent reports also say that it is increasingly occurring in much younger people, especially those who have weak blood vessels due to atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, nervous life, smoking, and a lack of relaxation.

Stroke prevention: drink alcohol in moderation

Doctors agree that alcohol abuse seriously increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. We advise you: If your body is working perfectly - you can afford (even once a day) a bottle of beer, a glass of wine or 1 drink. If something is damaged (e.g. liver, kidneys), each dose of alcohol worsens general he alth.

Stroke prevention: don't smoke

Smoking is a direct cause of heart attacks and strokes as it destroys blood vessel walls and increases blood clotting. Nicotine constricts the vessels, which puts you at risk of hypertension. When we smoke, carbon monoxide molecules bind to hemoglobin molecules (its role is to carry oxygen around the body) and the brain receives less oxygen than it needs. Our advice: The sooner you stop smoking, the better your chances of avoiding disease. Smoking 10 cigarettes a day for a long time increases the risk of stroke and ischemic heart disease by about 100%.

Stroke prevention: love exercise

Man, contrary to the machine, does not wear out while moving. On the contrary - there is no better medicine for him (for almost all ailments) than physical activity. Movement improves blood circulation, regulates blood pressure, and makes the vessels more flexible. So start exercising regularly.

We advise you: For people with circulatory disorders, fast walks, swimming and cycling are the best. However, you should definitely give up lifting loads and stretching the springs.

Stroke prevention: minimize red meat

The methionine contained in it, which transforms into homocysteine ​​in the body, damages the endothelium of the vessels. Also, avoid animal fats. The triglycerides and cholesterol they contain are the main enemies of blood vessels. They increase blood clotting, which promotes the formation of blood clots. And cholesterol builds up on the walls of the vessels and damages them. Advice: The brain likes unsaturated fatty acids, e.g.reduce blood clotting. You will find them in linseed oil, rapeseed oil, and marine fish. Oleic acid, derived from olive oil and canola, reduces cholesterol levels. In addition, the omega-6 acid contained in corn, sunflower, soybean oil and in soft margarines slightly reduces blood pressure. Also, do not spare yourself wholemeal bread, thick groats, legumes, vegetables, fruit.

Stroke prevention: compensate for vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Lack of vitamins increases the risk of heart disease and strokes. Antioxidant vitamins (including C and A) inhibit the development of free radicals that contribute to many diseases. We advise you: Eat foods rich in vitamins, especially C, B6, B12, E, A and beta-carotene. Don't forget about minerals - potassium improves the work of the circulatory system, and its deficiency directly affects the occurrence of a stroke. Sodium (but in limited amounts) along with potassium promote proper water management. Iron is an element thanks to which cells breathe efficiently. Magnesium ensures the regular work of the heart, prevents atherosclerosis and protects the brain as it improves the blood supply to the organs. Calcium in cooperation with magnesium also improves the efficiency of the vessels. Selenium was considered the protector of youth because it helps to maintain the elasticity of the vessels, prevents them from hardening and accumulating on the walls of cholesterol.

Stroke prevention: don't be afraid of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

After the menopause, the risk of cardiovascular disease, including strokes, increases sharply. The natural protection of estrogens disappears. We advise: The use of HRT not only eliminates the troublesome symptoms associated with menopause, such as profuse night sweats, hot flashes, etc., but it is also an effective protection against cardiovascular failure. Ask for an aspirin. Regular consumption of small doses of acetylsalicylic acid (in the form of Polopyrin, Polocard, Aspirin) reduces the risk of a heart attack by thinning the blood. There are also many indications that acetylsalicylic acid is effective in protecting against stroke. We advise you: The thinner your blood is and the less likely it is to clot, the lower the risk of a clot or embolism. So ask your doctor if you can use it prophylactically.

monthly "Zdrowie"

Category:

Cardiology