Strokes are one of the leading causes of death among both men and women. Strokes happen because the blood flow to the brain has been restricted. This could be caused by a clot, or not. The majority of strokes are caused by clots. Even though strokes have become very commonplace, they are also a preventable cause of death. Many lifestyle habits people have which may lead to a stroke could be stopped with some simple planning and advice.

One of the greatest causes of strokes is smoking. People who smoke are not stupid, but they are making a stupid choice. Not only are you polluting your air, you are polluting the air around you which everyone else breathes as well. Cigarettes pollute the air just as much as any toxic chemical. Smoking inhibits both lung and heart function, and also raises blood pressure. Also, tarter and plaque begin to form in arteries, just like with poor nutrition. Within an hour of smoking cessation, your blood pressure drops, and heart and lung function are repaired greatly.

Excessive salt intake is another cause for a stroke. We generally are allowed 2300 grams of sodium each day from the American Dietetic Association, and most people consume about double this amount each day. Most people do not read nutrition labels, so they have no idea how much sodium they are taking. One common food pertaining to this is soup. One can of soup has your total amount of allowed salt intake. Even though soup is a light meal, people believe they could eat more to make it a complete meal. Most of the things people eat with soup also has lots of salt, like sandwiches and meat. Never add salt to any meal you eat during the day. Along with sodium is trans fats and saturated fats. These fats clog up your arteries, and are very popular in fast-food meals. I have never heard of anyone asking for a nutrition label in these places, but doing this is always a good idea. Awareness is important. Be sure to read the food labels on everything you see, whether in the supermarket, or at home. A minute to do this saves you many years of life.

Not exercising is a major contributor to strokes. When we exercise, we are conditioning our lungs and heart. This allows our blood to flow in every vein and artery, and keeps us feeling energetic and vibrant. Leading a sedentary lifestyle also contributes to weight gain, and obesity in another great cause of strokes. Your heart has to work harder when you are overweight, and sometimes it cannot pump blood within your body. This leads to clotting, plaque buildup, and other stoppages which stop the blood flow to the brain. Exercising for at least thirty minutes a day lowers your risk for a stroke. You do not have to go crazy. You could do something as simple as walking, or going for a bike ride. You will not even know it is exercise if you are having alot of fun.

There are many things you could do to prevent strokes, and they are all common sense. Do not smoke. Most people begin smoking in high school, but do not do just because others are doing it. Maybe they do not want to live, but I am sure other people do. Eating well is good not only to prevent strokes, but to prevent heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, and proper organ function. Exercise is also good for staying healthy, but always remember to check with your doctor before starting any program. This is for your own benefit. we all have to do what we could to make strokes a thing of our past.

Learn more about this author, Erin Yarrobino.
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