RISK FACTORS;

   Diet

     An UNBALANCED DIET  can increase the risk factors of stroke. This type of diet is high in:

•  salt
•  saturated fats
•  trans fats
•  cholesterol

     Inactivity

   Inactivity, or lack of exercise, can also raise the risk of stroke.

   Regular exercise has a number of health beficits. The aerobic exercise every week. This can mean simply a brisk walk a few times a week.

    Heavy alcohol use

The risk of stroke also increases with heavy alcohol use.

 If you drink, drink in moderation. This means no more than one drink a day for women, and no more than two drinks a day for men.

 Heavy alcohol use can raise blood pressure levels. It can also raise triglyceride levels, which can cause atherosclerosis. This is plaque buildup in the arteries that narrows blood vessels.

  Tobacco use

Using tobacco in any form also raises the risk of stroke, since, it can damage the blood vessels and heart. Nicotine also raises blood pressure.

  Personal background

  There are some risk factors for stroke you can’t control, such as:

•  Family history. Stroke risk is higher in some families because of genetic health factors, such as high blood pressure.
•   According both women and men can have strokes, they’re more common in women than in men in all age groups.
•  Age. The older you are, the more likely you are to have a stroke.
•  Race and ethnicity. African Americans, Alaska Natives, and American Indians are more likely to have a stroke than other radial groups.

  Health history

Certain medical conditions are linked to stroke risk. These include:

•  a previous stroke or TIA
•  high blood pressure
•  high cholesterol
•  carrying too much excess weight
•   heart disorders, such as coronary artery disease
•   heart valve defects
•   enlarged heart chambers and irregular heartbeats
•   sickle cell disease
• diabetes
• blood clotting disorder
• patent foramen ovale  (PFO)

  To find out about your specific risk factors for stroke, talk with your doctor.

Complications

Some of these complications include:

•  Seizures
•  Loss of bladder and bowel control
•  Cognitive impairment, including dementia
•  Reduced mobility, range of motion, or ability to control certain muscle movements
•  depression
•  mood or emotional changes
•  shoulder pain
•   bed sores
•   sensory or sensation changes

These complications can be managed by methods such as:

• medication
• physical therapy
• counseling

Certain complications may even be reserved.How to prevent a stroke

Lifestyle changes can’t prevent all strokes. But many of these changes can make a radical difference when it comes to lowering your risk of stroke.

These changes include the following:

•  Quit smoking. If you smoke, quitting now will lower your risk of stroke. You can reach out to your doctor to create a quit plan.
•  Limit alcohol use. Heavy alcohol consumption can raise your blood pressure, which in turn raises the risk of stroke. If reducing your intake is difficult, reach out to your doctor for help.
•   Keep a moderate weight. Overweight and obesity increases the risk of stroke. To help manage your weight, eat a balanced diet and stay physically active more often than not. Both steps can also reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
•  Regular checkups. Talk with your doctor about how often to get a checkup for blood pressure, cholesterol, and any conditions you may have. They can also support you in making these lifestyle changes and offer guidance.
• All these measures will help put you in better shape to prevent stroke.