8 Suggestions for Preventing Stroke

According to the American Stroke Association, someone in America has a stroke every 45 seconds. Approximately 700,000 Americans will have a stroke this year. Stroke is the third highest cause of death in the U.S., and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability.

Try these recommendations to address risk factors and help protect yourself from stroke:

• Control your blood pressure either through lifestyle changes or medication.
• Exercise. People who exercise consistently have a lower risk for having a stroke.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Limit alcohol intake. If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. Moderate alcohol intake is defined as no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks a day for men.
• Manage diabetes and keep tight control of blood sugar levels.
• Lower cholesterol into a healthy range.
• Focus on your diet. Follow a diet designed for those with high blood pressure and heart disease – it may be helpful in preventing strokes.
• Take calcium and magnesium. These minerals are helpful in controlling high blood pressure, one of the strongest risk factors for stroke.