American doctors point out 7 habits to avoid to prevent stroke

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is not only a silent “killer” but also a major cause of severe disability. This reality is scary in that many risk factors such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure often develop silently until an event occurs.

However, this “death sentence” is completely controllable. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 80% of strokes can be prevented through lifestyle changes.

Here are the habits that stroke specialists avoid and advise you to do the same.

Sedentary lifestyle

According to Dr. Arthur Wang, Director of Endovascular Neurosurgery at Tulane University School of Medicine, a stagnant lifestyle is the top modifiable risk factor. Sedentary is defined as spending too much time sitting or lying down without exercise.

“Regular physical activity helps keep blood vessels clear, preventing plaque buildup in the arteries,” said Dr. Wang. He recommends that each person get about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, at least five times a week, whether walking, jogging, cycling or gardening.

Indifferent to high blood pressure

Dr. Anthony Kim, vascular neurologist and medical director of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Stroke Center, emphasized: “If I had to choose one factor with the greatest impact, it would be blood pressure, blood pressure, blood pressure.” High blood pressure is the greatest modifiable risk factor.

“If there was a magic wand that completely eliminated high blood pressure, the number of strokes would decrease by 60%,” Mr. Kim affirmed. Because high blood pressure causes no obvious symptoms, it is called the “silent killer”. The only way is regular examination, monitoring and treatment.

Skip regular health check-ups

Many people only go to the doctor when they have symptoms, but Dr. Wang warns that high cholesterol or high blood pressure are often “invisible”. Regular checkups help your doctor screen your blood sugar, weight, and factors beyond your control such as gender (women are at higher risk), race, and family history.

“People who have had a stroke or whose parents have had the disease have a much higher risk of recurrence or falling ill,” Dr. Wang noted.

Smoking

Both experts ranked tobacco on the “taboo” list. Smoking causes blood vessels to narrow over time, leading to a blockage of blood flow to the brain – and that’s the essence of a stroke.

Abuse of alcoholic beverages

Alcohol is directly linked to cancer, liver disease and stroke. The CDC defines excessive drinking as more than 4 drinks at a time for women and 5 drinks for men. As a general recommendation, women should drink no more than one drink and men no more than two drinks per day to protect heart and brain health.

Unscientific diet

A menu high in saturated fat, sugar and salt is the “enemy” of blood vessels. Dr. Kim points out the close connection between salt consumption and high blood pressure. Instead, he advocates the philosophy of writer Michael Pollan: “Eat fresh food, mostly plants, and don’t eat too much.” Prioritize fruits and vegetables and limit the amount of meat in your diet.

Delay emergency treatment

Strokes often do not cause pain, making many people subjective. However, modern treatments are only optimally effective if performed as early as possible.

Dr. Kim recommends that everyone remember the FAST rule:

• F (Face): Distorted mouth, misaligned face.

• A (Arm): Weakness or paralysis of limbs.

• S (Speech): Difficulty speaking, slurred speech or not understanding words.

• T (Time): If you have any of the above signs, call an ambulance immediately.

Time is “gold”. Any delay in medical access can lead to permanent, irreversible brain damage.