What can you do to prevent stroke?
Age makes us more susceptible to having a stroke, as does having a mother, father, or other close relative who has had a stroke.
High blood pressure is a huge factor, doubling or even quadrupling your stroke risk if it is not controlled. High blood pressure is the biggest contributor to the risk of stroke in both men and women. Monitoring blood pressure and, if it is elevated, treating it, is probably the biggest difference people can make to their vascular health.
Obesity, as well as the complications linked to it (including high blood pressure and diabetes), raises your odds of having a stroke. If you're overweight, losing as little as 10 pounds can have a real impact on your stroke risk.
Smoking accelerates clot formation in a couple of different ways. It thickens your blood, and it increases the amount of plaque buildup in the arteries. Along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, smoking cessation is one of the most powerful lifestyle changes that will help you reduce your stroke risk significantly. (Source: HealthHarvard.edu)
For more information about the signs and prevention of a stroke, visit www.stroke.org.
Vyto's Pharmacy is your local source for vitamins, supplements and prescription medicines that aid in keeping your heart and brain healthy.
Scoliosis 101
Is your child at risk for scoliosis? more
How to Curb Food Cravings
Cutting sugary, salty and fatty foods from your diet is a great way to improve your health. But what happens when the cravings strike? more
Migraines: What You Need to Know
Migraines aren't just a painful problem — they're a huge problem. more
Dry Skin in Winter? Here's What to Do
As you start to be able to see your breath in the outside air, you may also start to see some dryness and cracking on your skin. Here's what you can do about wintertime skin dryness. more
Foods to Boost Your Mood
Diet plays a huge role in health, and that can include your mental health. more
How to Add Fiber to Your Daily Diet
Lower cholesterol, healthy bowels, better blood sugar and healthy weight — that's the potential power of dietary fiber. Here's how to get more of it in your diet. more
Three Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
Whether you are trying to have a baby or just thinking about it, informing yourself is a good first step. Here are three tips to get you started: more
All About Acid Reflux
If you're among the 1 in 5 people in the United States who have acid reflux disease, read on for everything you need to know about this condition. more
Healthy Fats: Which Oils Are Best?
By now, most people know that vegetable oils often contain healthy fats, but which ones are best? more
Healthy Holiday Swaps
As the holidays approach, our diets start to get a lot less healthy. But with a few simple food swaps, you can add a little nutrition back into your holiday meals. more