4 Changes You Can Make to Prevent Stroke

May happens to be Stroke Awareness Month, which is a great reminder about how important heart health really is. ReactDx features top-of-the-line Holter monitoring equipment that will give your doctor an accurate picture of the physical state of your heart. You may be surprised to discover that the American Heart Association reports that 80 percent of strokes are actually preventable. Below, you’ll find four changes you can make today that will keep you from having a stroke in the future.

  • Get in Shape

According to the Obesity Action Coalition, obesity allows inflammation that forms as a result of too much fatty tissue to increase a person’s risk of having a stroke. One way to lose weight is to make a few changes in your diet. Start off filling your plate with healthy fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients. Then, add a small portion of lean meats. Fish is a great addition as well, since it contains important omega-3 fatty acids. Your doctor can monitor your diet and even suggest a few supplements, such as fiber or ginseng. Here are some additional dietary hints.

  • Drink One Glass of Red Wine

Red wine contains the ingredient resveratrol, which is an antioxidant that boosts cardiovascular health. Science Daily also reveals that one alcoholic beverage works to relax the blood vessels so that your blood can flow more freely. Unfortunately, consuming more than one glass has the opposite effect on a person’s health, so stick with just one glass per day to reap the benefits.

  • Keep Sleep to Around Seven Hours a Night

One of the lesser known ways to prevent a stroke is to restrict your sleep to around seven hours a night. A study conducted by the American Academy of Neurology stated that they found individuals who slept more than eight hours each night had a 46 percent higher chance of having a stroke than those who kept their sleep patterns to around seven hours.

  • Lower Your Blood Pressure

The Mayo Clinic lists high blood pressure as one of the things that can cause a stroke. There are a few all-natural steps you can take to get your blood pressure under control. First, cut back on your salt intake. Second, add 20 to 30 minutes of exercise to your day. Third, get help to quit smoking. Lastly, stay away from high-cholesterol foods like fatty meats, butter, and full-fat dairy products.

Each of the above changes require a little bit of discipline, but they are easily doable. Working closely with your doctor or having an accountability partner will help tremendously. Call ReactDx at 800-234-3278 and ask about our Holter monitoring. We also have a Heart Health News page that is loaded with helpful information that will get you on the path to wellness.

Jodi is a seasoned Human Resources professional who thrives on change and transformation. She fell in love with Human Resources when she attended Penn State University for graduate school in Public Administration with a curriculum that emphasized Human Resources. After earning her Master’s degree she began her career in the manufacturing industry in Talent Acquisition and was eventually assigned the overall HR Management responsibility of three divisions which included collective bargaining. Ultimately, she made her way to transitioning a new division of a Fortune 100 company under the corporate model as well as developing and executing Human Resources policies and procedures across a broad range of functional disciplines. At the next juncture of her career, she was tapped on the shoulder by former Executives that she previously worked with to join in on an exciting start-up. Today, Jodi is the Vice President of Talent Relations and Development for Medicomp Inc dba ReactDx and is responsible for managing the strategic Human Resources function which includes mergers and acquisitions for this rapidly expanding company.

Jodi and her husband enjoy landscaping, finding new restaurants and traveling whenever life gives them the opportunity.

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