STROKE - THINGS THAT RAISE OR REDUCE YOUR RISK

Things that either raise or reduce your risk of strokes – such as a specific type of food. The more unique and detailed the advice, the better.

Being overweight

Unhealthy weight is among the conditions that increase the chances of stroke. Being obese or overweight increases proneness to high cholesterol, heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes- conditions linked to the risk of stroke. Even studies indicate that a body mass index increase by one unit raises the risk by 5%. It would help to maintain a healthy weight if you intend to avoid a stroke.

Smoking

If you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, your risk of stroke is 6 times more than a nonsmoker. It suggests that the more you smoke, the higher your risk of contracting stroke. Cigarettes contain nicotine, which alters blood pressure. Smoking also causes heart damage and ruins the blood vessels resulting in a stroke. I always tell my clients to avoid smoking if they have never attempted it. For those that already smoke, I highly recommend reducing the number of cigarettes per day as they work their way into stopping the habit completely.

Eating fish

Studies demonstrate that eating fish four times every week contributes to a 30% reduced risk of stroke. Fatty fish, including salmon, contains omega-3 acids, which improve overall health. Therefore, instead of wasting your body with less-nutrient-dense foods, such as burgers and processed foods, why not grill that salmon to reduce the consumption of saturated fats and cholesterol? I also recommend incorporating more foods with antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables to kill free radicals that reduce optimum health.