Strokes are a scary aspect of aging. We want to give you the correct information to prevent, recognize, and recover from them. According to the Stroke Recovery Foundation (SRF), 80% of strokes are preventable! What are some ways you can reduce your risk?
- Maintain a healthy weight. With so many Americans being overweight, it increases the risk of stroke! Get your body moving to improve blood flow, increase mobility, and enhance overall wellness. Similarly, you’ll reduce your risk of heart disease.
- Stop smoking! Cigarettes are harmful to your lungs and your blood vessels. Long-term effects include the thickening or narrowing of blood vessels.
- Monitor your blood pressure. If you have difficulty breathing or experience frequent headaches, vision loss, or chest pain, visit your doctor regularly to assess your health.
There are 11 pillars of stroke prevention, according to the SRF. To see a complete list, visit the Stroke Recovery Foundation’s website. Now, let’s talk about the signs of someone actively having a stroke. You may remember the mnemonic device FAST. If someone’s Face (F) seems to droop on one side, or they cannot raise both Arms (A) out in front of them equally, or they’re experiencing delayed or slurred Speech (S), it’s Time (T) to call 911. Every minute counts.
If you or a loved one has already experienced a stroke, try incorporating simple exercises into your daily routine. If you’ve been left with limited mobility on one side of the body, look into passive exercises, in which a caregiver or your unaffected side helps to stimulate the affected side of the body. The saying practice makes perfect
applies here, too! Repeating simple activities will help retrain your body.
Have you or a loved one had a stroke recently? We’d love to hear about the resources you use to recover and return to daily life.
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