A stroke, according to WHO statistics, annually takes the life of about 5 million people, about the same number lose the ability to move. This disease is in fourth place among the diseases, the result of which is a fatal outcome, in the first place - among the causes of disability. The best way to prevent a stroke is prevention.
Main reasons
Prevention of a stroke begins with an acquaintance with the reasons why there is a failure in the supply of blood to a part of the brain. Factors contributing to a person being at risk:
- arterial hypertension;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- high concentration of cholesterol in the blood;
- atherosclerosis;
- aneurysms of cerebral vessels;
- diabetes;
- malnutrition;
- excess weight;
- bad habits (alcohol, smoking);
- hormonal contraceptives;
- blood clotting disorder;
- constant stress.
By eliminating the threatening factors, a person will reduce the likelihood of a stroke, this is the primary prevention. There is also prophylaxis after a stroke, with which you can prevent the risk of its recurrence.
There are also risk factors that cannot be eliminated. Among them are age (from 55 years old), heredity (cases of stroke in close relatives), male gender (men are more likely to suffer from this disease). People in these groups should pay maximum attention to prevention.
blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol
Constant monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels is one of the main concerns of a person who is interested in the prevention of stroke and heart attack. Be sure to purchase devices to regularly check these indicators.
- HELL. 120/80 - blood pressure indicators to strive for. If necessary, antihypertensive therapy (drugs) is prescribed. The need for this may appear if a person has diabetes mellitus, heart failure, threshold arterial hypertension, and so on. Also, bringing the data of blood pressure to the optimal level contributes to the improvement of lifestyle.
- Sugar. Ideally, the concentration of glucose in the blood should not go beyond 3.3-5.5 mmol / l. Certain groups of medications and adherence to a special diet will help to approach these values.
- Cholesterol. Maintaining the proper level of cholesterol (the lower limit is 3.9 mmol / l) will help the transformation of the daily menu. Also, according to indications, a person is prescribed statins - special drugs for the prevention of stroke, which reduce the concentration of cholesterol.
Regular examination
Doctors have a clear opinion about how to avoid a stroke. Prevention, in their opinion, must necessarily include regular examinations in the hospital. In particular, it is recommended to pay attention to this advice to persons who have crossed the threshold of forty years. A list of diagnostic procedures that are desirable to undergo at least once a year (for those at risk, it is better to do this once every six months) should be compiled together with your doctor.
The main examinations that are shown to everyone:
- MRI of the brain;
- Vascular ultrasound;
- chemical analysis of blood.
These diagnostic manipulations are characterized by simplicity, a high level of information content. They help to timely detect cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and prevent serious complications that seriously threaten human life. You also need to visit a cardiologist every year.
Dangerous diseases
The best way to prevent a stroke is to prevent and treat (timely) a number of dangerous diseases. A threat to human life is posed by heart disease, primarily arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation, ventricular flutter, expansion of the chambers of the heart, heart valve defects - all this can cause the formation of blood clots (blood clots), which in the future can lead to blockage of cerebral vessels.
In itself, diabetes mellitus is extremely dangerous, providing an excessive concentration of glucose in the blood. This disease makes the walls of blood vessels brittle and brittle, which can result in a stroke. Atherosclerosis increases this likelihood, as does arterial hypertension.
Another danger is cerebral aneurysms. They can be genetic or formed during life (infection, atherosclerosis, trauma - sources). Thin walls do not cope with blood pressure (especially in combination with hypertension). Possible outcome - hemorrhagic stroke.
Also, do not forget to mention a bleeding disorder in this list. Its increased "liquid" or "thickness" can cause a stroke. "Liquid" blood can lead to bleeding, "thick" - to the appearance of clots that clog the lumen of the vessel.
Say goodbye to bad habits
Alcohol abuse, addiction to cigarettes - these bad habits can lead to a sad outcome.
- Prevention of stroke and heart attack should certainly include smoking cessation. Cigarettes, according to doctors, increase the danger by about two times. When combined with alcohol abuse, the risk increases by about 75%. Quite often, just saying goodbye to nicotine is enough for a person to leave the group of those who are seriously threatened with cerebral hemorrhage.
- Alcohol is dangerous because it increases blood pressure. Dry red wine is considered the least dangerous in this regard; a number of doctors even recommend it for preventive purposes. However, you need to understand that this drink is useful only in purely symbolic doses, its active inclusion in the menu will not be beneficial, just like drinking vodka, cognac, beer, champagne.
Weight loss
Excess weight is dangerous for a person, the prevention of stroke in men and women must necessarily include getting rid of it. The “extra” kilograms that overweight people carry on themselves contribute to the appearance of the main causes leading to cerebral hemorrhage. These are diseases of the cardiovascular system, hypertension, diabetes mellitus.
According to studies, parting with 5 kilograms is enough for blood pressure to decrease, blood cholesterol levels to return to normal. This is achieved through a special diet and exercise. It is advisable to try to get closer to your ideal weight, having previously calculated it. Divide your weight (in kg) by your height in meters squared to get your body mass index. Ideally, the value will be in the range of 18.5-25 kg / sq. m.
Sports are extremely beneficial. They not only reduce blood pressure, rid the body of unnecessary cholesterol. Physical exercises also normalize the state of the heart and blood vessels, drive off excess weight. Effective stroke prevention - running, walking long distances, cycling, swimming. Devoting at least half an hour a day to this, a person moves further and further away from danger. Even with excess weight, health problems that do not allow you to play sports, you can include healthy walks in the fresh air in your day.
Proper nutrition
Prevention of ischemic stroke (as well as hemorrhagic) always implies strict adherence to a special diet. According to medical research, the products that are part of the standard diet of a modern person increase the risk of this disease by 58%.
In fact, "dietary" prevention includes the three most important steps to promote health:
- reduction in cholesterol levels;
- saturation of the diet with magnesium, potassium;
- reducing the amount of salt (reducing the amount of sodium).
Reducing cholesterol is the most important task in the fight against such a terrible enemy as a stroke, the danger will be reduced by about 25%. The weekly diet should be as saturated as possible with dishes that reduce its level. These are almonds, soy products, oatmeal. Pomegranates, kiwi effectively help to cleanse the body.
Vegetables and fruits are effective suppliers of antioxidants that relieve inflammation and prevent the formation of plaque on the walls of arteries. It is they who help in improving blood flow, if consumed fresh, achieving maximum diversity. Be sure to include banana and prunes in the menu, known as a source of useful potassium. Also need spinach and beans, skimmed milk (2 glasses per day), halibut.
Berries are rich in vitamins. You should definitely fall in love with cherries and raspberries. They contain salicylic acid, which prevents excessive blood clotting, which helps prevent the formation of blood clots.
To prevent such a nuisance as a stroke, prevention and treatment should include reducing the amount of sodium supplied with food. In this regard, processed foods are the most dangerous, for example, ketchups and factory-made sauces, which are much more harmful than chips. It is recommended to exclude processed cheese, stew, ham from the diet, try not to salt the dishes during the cooking process.
The best cooking methods are boiling, stewing. Such dishes are much healthier than fried ones.
aspirin for stroke
Prevention after a stroke (prevention, reduction of the likelihood of recurrence) involves the patient taking certain medications. As a rule, doctors prescribe two types of drugs to patients: antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants.
- Antiplatelet agents are agents that serve to prevent the formation of blood clots. As you know, the occurrence of blood clots is provided by platelets (special blood cells) that have grown together with each other. It is precisely to prevent the gluing process that is the main task facing the preparations of this group. Medications belonging to this group are Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Dipyramol.
- Anticoagulants are drugs that reduce the chance of blood clots or blood clots. It can be "Warfarin", "Heparin". For home use, "Warfarin" is prescribed, the action of which continues for a long time period. Basically, it is prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke, which can be the result of arrhythmias. In hospital conditions, "Heparin" is put, which works for a limited time.
It must be remembered that the dose must be selected individually, in each case it is different. Therefore, self-activity is dangerous, drug therapy can only be prescribed by a professional doctor. The most popular at the moment is aspirin. For the prevention of stroke, this remedy is prescribed to patients who have a heart rhythm disorder. Other medications may be selected as indicated.
Threat of a second stroke
Prevention of stroke with drugs is far from the only way to prevent its recurrence. If the patient has already encountered this disease, he will certainly be prescribed physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises, medical massage sessions. The rehabilitation period implies the maximum possible reduction in the load, careful avoidance of situations that can cause stress and depression.
For a person who has already had a stroke, it is extremely important to give up alcohol and smoking. The success of preventing a relapse also depends on how carefully the patient will comply with medical prescriptions and regularly take prescribed medications. A balanced diet, a complete rejection of harmful foods, and the intake of special vitamin complexes that make up for the lack of valuable elements in the body are necessary.
The signal that informs a person about an impending re-stroke is the level of blood pressure. Its measurement should turn into a daily habit, you should definitely buy a tonometer. Signs of danger - the lower bar, which is 90-105, the upper one - 140-180. The doctor will also prescribe medications that will help maintain normal blood pressure.
Traditional medicine recipes
Prevention of stroke with medicines, diet, proper lifestyle - all this is important, but you can also use recipes taken from traditional medicine. Many of them have been tested for more than one century.
- Ordinary tincture of calendula is an effective remedy against stroke. You can buy it at a pharmacy or make your own. You need to take 20 grams of a medicinal plant, pour 100 ml of pure alcohol. The tincture is prepared for two weeks, then filtered. Daily dose - 30 drops three times a day.
- Horse chestnut is another popular "tool" to prevent this threat. The tincture is very easy to prepare. Half a liter of vodka and 50 grams of chestnut are mixed. Daily dose - 40 drops three times a day.
- Helps in the fight against stroke and swamp cleaner. A teaspoon of herbs is dissolved in 0.5 liters of boiled water. The recommended dose is one tablespoon per day. It is important to avoid overdose, as the cleaner is slightly poisonous.
A stroke is dangerous to human life and health, so strict adherence to the above recommendations is extremely important. Preventing a threat is much easier than dealing with the consequences.
