Stroke is a leading cause of death for women. According to the CDC (U.S. Centers for disease Control and Prevention), 1 in 5 women who are between the ages of 55 and 75 will have a stroke. However, 4 out of 5 strokes are preventable, so it is important to know about stroke risk and take action to protect your health naturally.

What is Stroke?

A stroke is a sudden interruption of continuous blood flow to the brain. Stroke is a medical emergency. Stroke can cause parts of the brain to become damaged or die. It can cause long-term disability, lasting brain damage, or death.

The brain stores our memories, controls our movements, and produces our thoughts, language, and emotions. It also controls the functions of our body, like digestion and breathing.

The brain needs oxygen to work properly. Our arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to all the parts of our brains. If something blocks the blood flow, the brain cells start to die within minutes, because they cant get oxygen. Blocked arteries are what cause a stroke.

Stroke is a Medical Emergency. Since some treatments for stroke only work if given in the first three hours after symptoms start, a stroke victim must act fast and get treatment as soon as possible. Delaying treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage or even death.

The CDC says that acting F.A.S.T. is the Key to Stroke Survival. F.A.S.T. is a way to remember what to look for in a man or woman who may be experiencing a stroke.

• Face- Does one side of the face droop when smiling?
• Arms- Does one arm drift downward when both arms are raised?
• Speech- Is speech slurred or strange when repeating a simple phrase?
• Time- If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Act fast if you see anyone with this signs.

Hypertension is a main risk factor for stroke.

Hypertension is high blood pressure.

• Control your blood pressure with healthy lifestyle changes.
• Manage your cholesterol with healthy lifestyle changes.
• Don’t start smoking or if you do, quit.

Healthy lifestyle changes include:

Eat healthy food most of the time. Severely limit processed food and eat whole food in the state closest to what God created it. Try to eat more fibrous foods like prunes, pears with skin, raspberries, apples with skin, sweet potatoes with skin, spinach, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, carrots, lentils, kidney beans, quinoa, whole grains, and flaxseeds.

Get regular physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and keep your blood vessels and heart healthy. There are many ways to move your body.

• Walking at a brisk pace
• Hiking longer distances for endurance
• Working out with weights or exercise bands
• Bike riding
• Swimming
• Yard games, bowling, roller skating, or other activities with your children

There are many ways to get physical activity. Find some that are enjoyable to you and start today.

Action Step

Become aware of the signs of a stroke, prepare and eat healthy food, and plan daily exercise to naturally reduce your risk of stroke.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about/women-and-stroke.html

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

P.S. What ways do you reduce your risk of stroke naturally?