Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States.
But there are ways you’ve got the option to lower your risk.
But just because some of the risk factors arent always obvious doesnt mean strokes cant be controlled.
No one knows that more than the experts who treat the issue.
I like to think of it more proactively what I could do to prevent stroke, saidDr.
Anthony Kim, a vascular neurologist and medical director of the University of California at San Francisco Stroke Center.
Below, stroke doctors share the habits they personally avoid and why you should avoid them, too.
Have A Sedentary Lifestyle
According toDr.
Its been shown that regular physical activity helps keep your blood vessels clog-free.
It stops the buildup of plaque in the arteries, Wang said.
And so we generally recommend that people get probably 30 minutes of moderateexercisemaybe five times a week.
This means its crucial that you visit yourprimary care doctorfor the routine check-ups that they deem necessary.
That definitely increases the risk of stroke, and heart disease, for that matter, Kim said.
Drink Too Much Alcohol
Youre probably aware that alcohol is not good for you.
Itslinked to certainkinds of cancer,liver disease, and yes, stroke, too.
Specifically, Kim said there is an association between … excessive alcohol use and heart disease and stroke risk.
These are also the recommendations put forth by theDietary Guidelines for Americans.
Ignore Your Diet
A proper diet is important for managing stroke risk, too.
This means moderating foods that are full of saturated fats, sugar and salt, Wang said.
When it comes to what youshouldeat, Kim points to the work of author and journalistMichael Pollan.
This advice is eat food, mostly plants, not too much, Wang said.
This means having a diet thats rich in fruits and veggies with some meat added in.
Available stroke treatments work better the sooner theyre done, Kim said.
And, theres a useful acronym to help people remember the signs and thatacronym is FAST, Kim said.
