newlifeoutlook
Risks

How You Can Reduce Your Risk of Stroke

Oct 11, 2016
  • Medical Information
  • Practical Solution
  • Self Care
Hands making a heart shape

What Are Stroke Risk Factors?

Lifestyle risk factors include:

  • Smoking. Smoking can double the risk of a stroke because it can thicken the blood, which can cause a blood clot.
  • Physical activity. People who are physically active can reduce their stroke risk.
  • Diet. Too many calories can cause excess weight, high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes, all of which increase stroke risk.

How Can I Reduce My Risk of a Stroke?

Reading through the stroke risk factors, it is clear that there is nothing that can be done for uncontrollable risk factors: you can’t turn back the hands of time, your genetic makeup determines your gender and your race.

However, you do have control over your lifestyle, which can decrease your chances of developing the medical risk factors.

You May Also Like:How Anxiety Can Affect Your AFib
See Also:
  • AFib Stroke Risk
  • AFib Management
  • Afib Stroke Treatment
  • Latest AFib Treatments

Quitting smoking may be one of the best things you can do for yourself. Although this may seem daunting, there are a variety of resources. Seek help from your doctor if you feel you need a prescription medication.

Get exercising. Exercise doesn’t have to be difficult. While you may be envisioning yourself at the gym lifting weights, exercise can be as simple as a walk in the park with your significant other or dancing in your living room.

It just needs to be something to get your heart rate elevated. Find something that you enjoy and stick with it!

Lose weight if you need to. To lose weight, you need to take in fewer calories then you burn. Seek help from your doctor or ask for a referral to speak with a registered dietitian (RD), who can evaluate your specific needs.

In addition, if you have AFib and are prescribed a blood thinner to prevent blood from pooling in your atria, take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This includes getting lab work when ordered.

Previous
  • 1
  • 2
Krystina Ostermeyer
Krysti is a practicing RN who also enjoys writing about health and wellness. She writes for a variety of NewLifeOutlook communities, as her ten years of nursing experience has enabled her to help many people with a variety of chronic conditions in her career. See all of Krystina's articles
More Articles by Krystina
Resources
  • American Heart Association (What is Atrial Fibrilllation (AFib or AF)?)
  • National Stroke Association (AFib-Stroke Connection)
Print This

We all have a voice,what's your story?

We learn from each other. Share your story to let others with know they’re not alone.

Share Your Story

AFibNewsletter Sign-up

Stay up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, and updates from your community!

Subscribe Now

Join our private Facebook Group

to ask questions, get answers, and find support from fellow Warriors!

Join the Discussion
Print This
ConnectWithUs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclaimer
© 2019 NewLifeOutlook™ All rights reserved.