Making lifestyle changes such as losing weight and stopping smoking can be very difficult. The stress of life and your responsibilities can be overwhelming, especially during this crazy pandemic. Taking on or making a lifestyle change during this time can seem impossible. These times are stressful and that can affect everything - your immune system, your cardiovascular system and your mental health.
Lifestyle Changes
May is National Stroke Awareness Month and as health and wellness coaches, we at Healthlink Advocates, are hoping that you might consider taking a review of your lifestyle habits to consider stroke prevention and improved health and wellbeing. It may be time to consider improving your health in whatever way might work for you. One small step at a time leads to eventual big positive changes.
What is a Stroke?
Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells die. About 2 million brain cells die per minute, during a stroke emergency. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death in the United States, killing more than 140,000 people a year. That’s 1 in every 19 deaths. Approximately 80% of first-time strokes can be prevented. Strokes are the leading cause of long-term disability and the leading preventable cause of disability. Click below to learn more.
Making Progress
There are signs that we are starting to improve the statistics regarding stroke occurrence and treatment as noted below:
Stroke mortality rates have fallen (down 39.4% from 1999 to 2016)
The percentage of eligible patients receiving a clot-busting drug within 60 minutes has nearly doubled
The number of hospitals providing surgical clot removal doubled from 2003 to 2012.
What Can You Do?
Act fast and call 911 if the following symptoms occur:
Face drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulty
Click below for more signs of a stroke
Prevention
Strokes are preventable so you have the power to make changes to prevent a stroke in your future. The following is a good list to start with:
Control your blood pressure at 120/80 or below
Don’t smoke
Consume less salt
Maintain a normal cholesterol level
Lose excess weight
Get physically active
For some of you this list may seem overwhelming. Be kind to yourself and select one habit to address at a time. Get yourself prepared mentally to start making a change and take small steps continuously. Find an accountability partner or health coach to help and inspire you.
COVID-19 Alert
According to a recent report and an article in Medscape on April 24, 2020 titled, COVID-19 Linked to Large Vessel Stroke in Young Adults, a rapid communication was published online on April 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Investigators led by Thomas Oxley, MD, PhD, department of neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Health System in NYC, reports five cases of large vessel stroke over a 2-week period in COVID-19 patients under 50 years of age. This is a sevenfold increase in what would normally be expected. The five cases had either no or mild, COVID-19 symptoms. There have been reports of blood clots in COVID-19 cases as well. Inflammation in the blood vessels may be driving the clot formation.
There have been other neurological symptoms reported from various sources but the bottom line is that no symptom should be ignored and there should be no hesitation to contact 911 or get to the closest ER if you have any doubt or concern. It is always better to be safe than sorry.