Doctor's orders - Do THIS to prevent a stroke

Ninety percent of strokes are preventable.

Did you know 90 percent of all strokes are preventable? What would you do to live a longer, healthier life?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), ten risk factors can be modified to prevent 9 of ten strokes worldwide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report a minimum of 200,000 heart disease and stroke-related deaths are absolutely preventable.

We are all aware of the obvious changes to decrease the majority of diseases - quit smoking, exercise more often, eat less salt, etc.

Unfortunately, most people aren't willing to give up their vices so easily.

Everyone is waiting for that miracle drug.

Take a pill and never gain weight, never worry about clogged arteries or high blood pressure ever again!

Well, until that miracle pill is created, the best ways to prevent strokes were described by Dr Martin O'Donnell and Prof. Salim Yusuf of the McMaster University.

The researchers, along with collaborators from 32 countries, found ten risk factors you can control from the comfort of your home:
 

• High blood pressure
• Lack of physical activity
• Poor diet
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Alcohol intake
• Srtess
• Diabetes
• Heart-disease
• Lipids

Diabetes, heart-disease and lipids are not as easily controlled but by tackling the other seven before these factors make an appearance can result in a significantly higher chance of preventing a stroke.

According to O'Donnell, the study: "is of an adequate size and scope to explore stroke risk factors in all major regions of the world, within key populations and within stroke subtypes.

"The wider reach confirms the ten modifiable risk factors associated with 90 percent of stroke cases in all regions, young and older and in men and women.

"The study confirms that hypertensions [sic] is the most important modifiable risk factor in all regions, and the key target in reducing the burden of stroke globally."

To help lower your blood pressure, remember salt retains water in your veins. The more water your veins hold, the more pressure there is on your heart as it scrambles to pump enough blood to keep your body working.

Simply consume less sodium, drink more water and remember to read lables. Ingredients like soy sauce are terrifyingly high in sodium, as are everyday meals. Anything canned or frozen is likely to contain significant sources of sodium, as well as most sauces and dips.

Professor Yusuf explained there are regional differences for some of the factors and the study revealed these countries should emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle in stroke prevention programs.

Researchers added: "It should also be emphasised [sic] that stroke prevention programmes [sic] must be integrated with prevention of other major non-communicable diseases that share common risk factors with stroke to be cost-effective.

"We have heard the calls for actions about primary prevention. Now is the time for governments, health organisations [sic], and individuals to proactively reduce the global burden of stroke. Governments of all countries should develop and implement an emergency action plan for the primary prevention of stroke."

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