Age is by far the most important risk factor for stroke, as does having a mother, father, or other close relative who has had a stroke (meaning having a family history). Stroke is not only the third leading cause of death, but also is one of the leading causes of serious, long-term disability in the United States. For every decade a person lives after the age of 55, the rate of stroke more than doubles in both men and women. At the same time, you’d be glad to know that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by working with a health care professional to reduce your risk.
Caring for an older adult can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in comprehensive home care Union County, but you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Family caregivers can turn to Aroga Home Care Services for the help they need, where we have years of experience in matching home care professionals with clients that need care.
The most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from stroke is to understand its risk factors and the steps you can take to manage them. There are both controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. While age, gender, race and family history are risk factors that you cannot control, risk factors like obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, alcohol and tobacco use, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries- accumulation of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls), physical inactivity- are well within your means to manage and reduce your chances of suffering a stroke.
Following these tips can help your older adult prevent a stroke:
Eat healthy- Seniors must aim for a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less, since seniors who are obese are twice as likely to have a stroke than a healthy senior. Your diet must comprise plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
Quit smoking- Smoking can reduce your ability to circulate blood, which aggravates high blood pressure and other circulation problems. Smoking can increase the amount of plaque accumulation and blood clots in the arteries. A drop in oxygen level in your loved one’s blood can cause their heart to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to a stroke.
Identify atrial fibrillation- AFib is an irregular, often rapid heart rate that must be diagnosed by a doctor, since it can lead to blood clots and can significantly increase your risk for a stroke. Early recognition of this issue and early treatment are necessary to prevent a life-threatening stroke.
Other tips:
2. Monitor your cholesterol
3. Control blood sugar
4. Exercise regularly
5. Drink in moderation
When it comes to making changes to your diet or activity levels, or modifying the prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking- make sure to do so in consultation with your healthcare provider.
For more info, check out: https://www.arogahomecare.com
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