Stroke: 90% can be prevented with lifestyle modifications, says expert

Modify these 10 risk factors to eliminate the risk of stroke

As per statistics, 15% of all strokes are caused by hemorrhagic stroke when a blood vessel in the brain bursts which leads to permanent damage. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when blood from an artery begins bleeding into the brain. Pressure from the leaked blood damages brains cells, and, as a result, the damaged area is unable to function properly, explains Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President, HCFI.

He adds, "It can be caused due to these two types of weakened blood vessels: aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). So, with a hemorrhagic stroke, the first steps are to find the cause of bleeding in the brain and then control it. Post-stroke rehabilitation can help people overcome disabilities caused by stroke.

Stroke symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face
• Arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
• Confusion
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech, walking and dizziness
• Improper balance and coordination
• Severe headache with no specific reason

Two main causes of hemorrhagic strokes:

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Overtreatment with anticoagulants (blood thinners)

"It is also important to manage certain lifestyle-based risk factors - obesity, inactivity, consumption of alcohol, and use of drugs," informs Dr K K Aggarwal.

Some dos:

• Control high blood pressure
• Moderate exercise 5 times a week
• Eat a healthy balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in sodium
• Reduce your cholesterol
• Maintain a healthy BMI or waist-to-hip ratio
• Reduce alcohol intake and smoking
• Reduce your risk from diabetes talk to your doctor
• Proper knowledge about stroke

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