Stroke Prevention in Seniors
Research has indicated that drinking one or two alcoholic drinks per day may cut your risk of stroke in half, but drinking more than this amount increases your risk. Strokes are very common, especially among the senior population, and can be prevented both by being able to identify symptoms of a stroke and by taking steps in everyday life to reduce the risk of stroke. Here are some actionable items to guide you:
- Have your blood pressure checked at least every two years. Reducing your diastolic blood pressure by just a little can cut your risk of stroke nearly in half.
- The blood-thinning prescription drug warfarin or aspirin can greatly decrease the risk of stroke.
- Have your cholesterol levels checked, ear a low-fat diet and exercise regularly.
- Walk, if you can. Staying active can reduce your risk of stroke.
- Quit smoking. Ask your doctor about the many strategies available to help you quit.
- Follow your doctor's dietary and medication recommendations for lowering your blood sugar.
- Maintain a healthy weight and eat a nutritious and balanced diet.
- If you have mechanical heart valves, you should be taking warfarin, and your doctor should do blood tests regularly to make sure the dose is correct.
- Although unproven, a diet rich in foods containing vitamin E may reduce the severity of a stroke.
For more information about strokes, preventative measures and life after a stroke, visit the National Stroke Association Web site.