02-23-2022 Primetime Living - Flipbook - Page 9
A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Stroke, continued from previous page
pital. “Time is brain,” he says. “Brain
cells die every minute, so the earlier you
get proper medical attention, the better
your chances of not being disabled by a
stroke.”
Prevention
According to the American Stroke
Association, up to 80% of all strokes in
adults may be preventable. Many of the
risk factors can be managed with lifestyle
changes that promote health and lower
the possibility of a stroke or other severe
event.
*Cigarette Smoking – Smoking is
known to raise fat levels in the body,
encouraging the buildup of plaque and
other substances in blood vessels.
Smoking affects the composition of the
blood, making it more sticky and more
likely to clot, thicken or damage a blood
vessel, therefore blocking the blood flow
to the brain. At the same time, smoking
can lower the body’s good cholesterol,
which rids the body of bad cholesterol
and keeps it from collecting on the linings
of arteries. Smoking cessation programs
can help individuals quit and improve
overall health.
*Hypertension – High blood pressure
(hypertension) is the leading cause of
stroke. Blood pressure is the measurement of the heart beating and pumping
blood into blood vessels and around the
body. When blood pressure is too high,
the heart works harder causing damage
to arteries and organs including the brain.
Monitor blood pressure with a home
device or store kiosk. If measurement is
consistently high, contact a physician.
High blood pressure may be managed
by reducing the use of certain medications as well as alcohol, caffeine, salt and
herbal supplements. There also is medication that may be prescribed to reduce
hypertension.
*Improper Diet and High Cholesterol
– Eating fatty foods and living with obesity
can lead to high cholesterol, which promotes the development of fatty deposits
in blood vessels that narrow arteries and
limit blood flow and can lead to an eventual stroke. Eating foods low in saturated
fats, trans fat and cholesterol and high in
fiber can help prevent high cholesterol. In
some cases, high cholesterol is hereditary, and statin medications may be prescribed to block the liver from producing
more cholesterol.
*Alcohol and Substance Use – Drug
abuse or heavy drinking can cause longterm changes in the heart, arteries or
blood. Many drugs are stimulants and can
increase blood pressure causing additional stress on blood vessels leading from
the heart to the brain. The extra pressure
could cause a rupture or leakage of blood
into the brain. Alcohol can lead to weight
gain, high blood pressure and an irregular
heartbeat, all of which can increase the
risk of stroke. Significantly reducing or
eliminating the use of alcohol and drugs
can limit and sometimes reverse the damage caused by these substances.
*Exercise – Physical inactivity can
exacerbate health issues that lead to
stroke. Being active can help maintain
a healthy weight and lower cholesterol
and blood pressure levels. The Surgeon
General recommends two hours, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, such as brisk walking, each
week.
*Sleep and Sleep Apnea – A lack of
sleep due to stress or sleep apnea, a sleep
disorder affecting the breathing, may also
impact the body’s health. Sleep apnea is
caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the
back of the throat, blocking the passage
of air into the body. If untreated, sleep
apnea can indicate a higher risk for high
blood pressure, stroke and other serious
medical conditions. Difficulty sleeping or
excessive snoring that is related to a stoppage in breathing should be evaluated
with a professional sleep study.
Some risk factors are simply not controllable. Age, gender, race, heredity and
prior incidence of a heart attack or stroke
can increase the overall risk of stroke.
Making prevention a priority by quitting
smoking, eliminating fatty foods from the
diet and exercising regularly can reduce
the risks. Heredity can impact the incidence of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Regular checkups with a primary
care physician can keep these risk factors
under control and minimize the chance
for a stroke.
Connection • Community • Columbia
For 30 years residents have chosen us for the
connections, community and opportunities
our downtown Columbia location offers.
They’ve stayed for the lifestyle, peace of
mind and a plan for their future.
Independent Living | Assisted Living
Memory Support | Nursing Care
Call today to learn more! 410-992-1241
vantagepointresidences.org
5400 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD 21044
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