People die in all sorts of ways. In this article, we’ll focus on one of the top ten causes of death. That’s because the majority of deaths in the world (>50%) are attributed to the top ten causes. By understanding the top ten causes of death and how to avoid them, you can stack the odds in your favor for living a longer than average life.
Heads up: This article was commissioned as a part of the Adam Rush Project. It was an experiment I did a few years ago to see if having books written by ghostwriters would be commercially viable. It wasn't. That said, the following article was written by someone else and not yet edited to my standards. I hope to find time to rewrite it myself in the future, but for now, read with caution.
Disclaimer
I wish I could tell you that I’m a doctor, but I can’t. I’m just an inquisitive author with a background in science and a love for practical research. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you want medical advice, ask a real doctor.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke happens when the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted. When the brain is deprived of blood, it takes just a few minutes for brain cells to start dying. A stroke is a severe medical emergency that requires prompt treatment. Taking immediate action can reduce the damage to the brain. According to the World Stroke Organization (WSO), 140,000 people die each year from stroke in the United States. Strokes remain the leading cause of long-term disability. While most strokes occur in people over the age of 65, almost a third of strokes happen in people under 65 years of age.
Ischemic strokes occur when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain. There are two main types of ischemic strokes: thrombotic and embolic. Thrombotic strokes happen when a blood clot forms inside the brain. Embolic strokes occur when a clot forms in a blood vessel outside of the brain, then breaks off and travels to the brain.
Another type of stroke is the hemorrhagic stroke. It happens when an artery in the brain ruptures, causing a release of blood to the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are much less common than ischemic strokes but far deadlier.
Symptoms of a stroke include trouble speaking and comprehending, face numbness, paralysis of the leg or arm, difficulty seeing, severe headache accompanied by dizziness, and trouble walking.
How to Avoid Dying from Stroke
It is vital to start reining in your risks early to reduce your chances of getting a stroke in the future. Here are the most effective preventative measures:
Decrease your blood pressure
High blood pressure more than doubles your chances of getting a stroke. Having high blood pressure increases the chances of getting a stroke in both women and men. If it is elevated, seek treatment.
How to achieve a low enough blood pressure to avoid getting a stroke:
- Reduce salt consumption to no more than 1500 milligrams daily (about 1/2 a teaspoon)
- Avoid consuming high-cholesterol foods such as ice cream, burgers, and cheese
- Eat four to five cups of fruits and vegetables daily.
- Have one serving of fish three times in a week
- Eat several daily servings of low-fat dairy and whole grains
- Exercise at least thirty minutes a day
- Quit smoking
- Ask your doctor if blood pressure medications are right for you.
Lose excess weight
Obesity and all the complications linked to it raise your chances of getting a stroke. Losing as little as ten pounds can substantially reduce your risk of getting a stroke. Your goal should be to have a BMI of 25 or less.
Here are some ideas on how to lose weight to reduce the risk of getting a stroke:
- Consume between 1500 to 2000 calories a day (this varies according to your current BMI and activity level).
- Exercise more by engaging in enjoyable physical activities like swimming, walking, or sports.
Consume alcohol in moderation
Several studies have shown that having one alcoholic drink a day can reduce your chances of getting a stroke. However, increasing to two drinks a day increases your risk dramatically.
Get treatment for atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a form of irregular heartbeat that can cause clots in the heart. These clots form in the heart and can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Get immediate treatment for atrial fibrillation because it increases your risk of stroke five-fold. If you have any symptoms of this condition such as shortness of breath and heart palpitations, ask your doctor about it. Typical treatment involves taking blood thinning (anticoagulant) medications.
Prevent and treat diabetes
Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels which damage blood vessels over time. If you have diabetes, you need to watch your blood sugar levels to keep them low. Eating right, exercising, and taking prescribed drugs can help keep your blood sugar levels low.