Beware of Stroke, Know the Risk Factors and How to Prevent It

Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate and appropriate treatment. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, so brain tissue does not get oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells can die within minutes.

The main causes of stroke are: hypertension (high blood pressure) and sclerosis (thickening and stiffness of the walls of blood vessels in the brain)

Risk factors for stroke include:

Modifiable
Uncontrolled High Cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
Have Diabetes
Having Heart Disease
Smoking habit
Obesity
Which cannot be modified
Age factor
Gender
Certain races
Genetics

According to the Ministry of Health, it is the number one cause of death in Indonesia. Every ten seconds a person dies from a stroke. Therefore, it is important to know the cause of stroke, because stroke is a disease that can be avoided.
How to prevent the occurrence of stroke as follows:

Keep the diet
Eating too many salty and fatty foods can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood and increase the risk of hypertension which can trigger stroke. Good nutrition for health can be obtained from vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and low-fat meats, such as skinless chicken breast.

Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can make the heart and circulatory system work more efficiently. Exercise can also keep cholesterol levels, weight, and blood pressure at normal levels.

Quit smoking
The risk of stroke is doubled if a person smokes, because smoking can narrow blood vessels and make it easier for blood to clot. Not smoking means also reducing the risk of various other health problems, such as lung and heart disease.

Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic drinks are high in calories. If consumed in excess, this drink can cause various stroke-triggering diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. Consuming alcoholic beverages can also make your heart beat irregular

Avoid using NAPZA
Some types of drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, can cause narrowing of the arteries and reduce blood flow which can lead to stroke.

Know Stroke Risk Factors
Friends of Hermina can consult a neurologist at Hermina Hospital Bekasi to detect and determine the types of risk factors for stroke, and will suggest what actions should be taken to eliminate or control these risk factors.