Stroke can be prevented in many ways. Head & Senior Consultant, Associate Professor Deidre Anne De Silva from the Department of Neurology at National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) shares 10 tips.
Continued from previous page.
Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death in Singapore.
1 in 4 people are likely to suffer a stroke in their lifetime, and the number of stroke cases are rising with our ageing population.
To reduce your risk of stroke, you need to be stroke S.M.A.R.T. This means to:
S: Live a Smoke-free life
M: Choose healthy Meals
A: Keep yourself Active
R: Go for Regular health screening
T: Take your medications as instructed by your doctor
Here are the
top 10 tips to reduce risk of stroke, recommended by Head & Senior Consultant, Associate Professor Deidre Anne De Silva from the Department of Neurology at
National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), a member of the
SingHealth group.
1) Control blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the most important risk factor in stroke prevention. Uncontrolled hypertension increases four-fold your risk of stroke. High blood pressure should be treated if it is repeatedly above 140/90 mmHg. If you have diabetes, your blood pressure should be below 130/85 mmHg. In addition to medication, lifestyle plays an important role in controlling blood pressure. Having a healthy diet, reducing your intake of alcohol and salt and exercising regularly are some lifestyle measures that reduce blood pressure.
2) Control blood sugar levels
Diabetes causes high blood sugar levels in the body. Uncontrolled diabetes over a long period of time can cause damage to your blood vessels and nerves. The risk of stroke is 1.5 times more in diabetics. Good control of blood sugar in diabetics reduces the risk of stroke. A healthy diet, taking medication as prescribed by your doctors and regular monitoring is crucial in controlling blood sugar levels.
3) Control cholesterol levels
High cholesterol can cause the narrowing of blood vessels in your body. This can lead to blockage of the blood flow to your vital organs including the brain, increasing the risk of stroke. Diet control including reducing intake of foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats, such as coconut milk, deep fried foods and seafood, as well as medication can control cholesterol levels.
4) Stop smoking
Smoking increases your risk of stroke by 1.5 to 2.5 times. This risk is significantly reduced as soon as you stop smoking, and will be equivalent to that of a non-smoker within five years of stopping. So stop smoking today. Consult your doctor who can help you to stop smoking.
5) Maintain an ideal body weight
Obesity is the accumulation of excess body fat. It is associated with various stroke risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Stroke risk is particularly high with fat deposits around the abdominal region.
You can calculate your body mass index (BMI) by using your height and weight. To obtain your BMI, simply divide your weight in kilograms by your height x height in metres.
The ideal range for an Asian body frame is 18.5 to 22.9 kg/m2. An ideal body weight is maintained by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
See the previous page for
four fast facts about stroke.
Read the next page for
five more doctor-recommended tips to prevent stroke.
Ref: H24
Related articles:
When Stroke Strikes During Sleep
Beware of Mini Stroke – TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack)
Suffered a Stroke? 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
What to Expect When a Stroke Occurs
Dealing with Complications After a Stroke
Testing Language Problems in Stroke Victims
