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High Blood Pressure: A Significant Risk Factor for Stroke
World Stroke Day is on October 29. Sponsored by the World Stroke Organization, the theme of World Stroke Day this year is "What can I do?"
According to the World Stroke Organization, you can learn to recognize risk factors and symptoms of stroke - and do something about them.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for stroke as well as heart disease. Poor nutrition, lack of exercise, obesity, and smoking all raise the risk of stroke and hypertension.
A stroke is rather like a heart attack, but is located in the brain. Stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel and interrupts blood flow to the brain. A lack of blood flow causes brain damage; brain cells begin to die. Stroke may create weakness in limbs, paralyzed limbs, or loss of ability to speak.
Stroke is the third leading instigator of death in the U.S. and the leading reason of adult disability. Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable with healthy lifestyle choices.
"Stroke is not an inevitable consequence of ageing," points out Professor Lars Ryden of the Karolinska Institute in Stockhom. "So by identifying and modifying risk factors, there are openings to reduce the incidence and death rate of this catastrophic condition."
Worldwide, stroke is the second leading cause of death (second only to heart disease), accounting for nearly 6 million deaths each year. The number of stroke victims continues to rise worldwide.
High blood pressure is the most significant risk factor for stroke. The Framingham Heart Study determined that hypertension doubles the possibility of stroke. Smoking also doubles the risk of stroke.
To decrease the risk of stroke, you can stop smoking (if you smoke), lose weight, lower blood pressure, eat healthier foods, and exercise regularly. Excessive alcohol consumption and excessive sodium intake also increase the risk for high blood pressure as well as stroke. Daily exercise is the key to losing weight, lowering blood pressure, and lowering your risk of stroke.
Walking is an exceptional exercise, and you have no excuses to avoid walking. If the weather is bad outside, you can walk indoors in a mall, for instance. One Japanese study discovered that regular vigorous walking reduced the risk of stroke by upwards of 20 percent. In a similar Finnish study, researchers found that leisure-time physical activity is a preventative of stroke. Lying on the couch and watching television might seem like the most relaxing activity, but when that's your only leisure-time activity, then it's actually creating more stress and anxiety within your body. You must maintain physical activity levels to release that stress and keep your body healthy.
Summarizing, to lower your risk of stroke, follow these simple suggestions: Stop smoking. Walk or exercise daily. Eat five servings of fruit and vegetables each day. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels within healthy ranges.
See high blood pressure exercises for more tips on lowering blood pressure naturally.
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