A stroke is never a positive thing, and even minor ones can cause problems with someone’s ability to live a normal life. A major stroke can leave the sufferer unable to walk, talk, or even have full cognitive function – plus, some strokes will be fatal. That’s why it’s crucial to do whatever you can to reduce your risk of having a stroke. Although some will happen for seemingly no reason, a lot of the time, there are lifestyle changes you can make that will significantly reduce your risk. Read on to find out more. 

Photo by Posawee Suwannaphati

Lower Your Blood Pressure

Even if you don’t know much about what a stroke is or why it might happen, it’s highly likely you’ll be aware that having high blood pressure is certainly something that can cause a stroke if it goes untreated for too long. So it makes sense that if you lower your blood pressure, you also lower the chance of suffering a stroke. 

There are several ways you can lower your blood pressure, including de-stressing as much and as often as possible, eating less salt, losing weight, and quitting smoking. If you can lower your blood pressure, you’ll reduce the risk of a stroke, but you’ll also be healthier in general, and that’s something to try to achieve. 

Deal With Your Diabetes

Something that might be less well-known is the link between diabetes and an increased risk of stroke. The fact is that diabetes means you have higher blood sugar levels and that blood sugar causes damage to your arteries. That means the blood can’t easily move around the body like it’s meant to, and blood clots – which result in strokes – form more quickly. 

Dealing with your diabetes by eating a healthy diet, exercising in the right way, taking any medication that’s been prescribed to you, and ensuring you visit the doctor regularly for monitoring (just in case anything – including your medication – has to change to keep you healthy and on top of your condition) is vital. Do all of that, and you’ll reduce your risk of stroke. 

Drink In Moderation 

Alcohol in vast quantities is a bad idea for many reasons, including the fact that it can raise your blood pressure and make you susceptible to having a stroke. If you know (or even think) you drink too much, cutting down is a great idea for your health. If that’s hard, then there is help out there, and asking for that help is crucial. 
However, studies have also shown that one drink per day could be beneficial. Of course, it does depend on your overall health, and it makes a difference as to what you drink, but a glass of red wine, for example, in the evening isn’t necessarily a bad idea. That’s because it contains resveratrol, a chemical that protects the heart and the brain and can help to keep your blood pressure in check.