One of the common health risks that aging adults can face in their golden years is stroke. Like a heart attack, stroke is a serious condition that can change the quality of life of one who suffers from it. As we get older, our bodies are less able to fight off illnesses like they used to when we were younger. This is why it is very important for you to know how to prevent stroke in your retirement age.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow is redirected. Oxygen is carried throughout the body through our blood. When blood does not flow to a certain part of the body, that pert cannot receive oxygen. The resultant effect is that the cells that make up that system die. TIf oxygen supply to the brain is cut short, the brain cells die. Once this happens, it cannot be reversed especially if the cells are without oxygen for a while.
This is why people who have had a stroke have problems speaking, walking or moving. The part of their brain that controls these functions has shut down. Our retirement community offers services that cater to seniors with varying medical needs, even stroke.
The most common type of stroke is the ischemic stroke. This simply means that a blood clot has formed in an artery leading to the brain, blocking the flow of blood and oxygen. The second type is the hemorrhagic stroke. Here, a blood vessel breaks and causes bleeding in the brain. This break prevents the blood from carrying oxygen and nutrients into the right areas of the brain.
Signs of Stroke
Stroke does not just manifest itself like a thief in the night. It acts in a more progressive and calculated manner. Noticing these signs early on can mean the difference between experiencing a stroke or not.
- Sudden numbness or feebleness in the arm, leg or face, particularly on one side of the body
- Sudden stuttering or speech delay
- Sudden sight problems
- Dizziness and loss of balance
- Severe headaches that have no origin
The symptoms of a stroke could last only for a few minutes then go away, but this is not always the case. This condition can be described as a transient ischemic attack, popularly known as a mini-stroke. In any case, this condition is a medical emergency. You should get medical help right away. If it is not treated immediately, a major type of stroke could follow.
Tips on Lowering Your Risk Factors
Certain risk factors like age, genetics, and race cannot be controlled. What you can do is to adopt some lifestyle changes that will help you lower your risk of stroke. Our team of trained professionals who provide health talks and advise residents on the best routes to take. You may not have experienced any of the above mentioned symptoms but you still need to do these as a preventive measure.
- Be on top of your blood pressure. Ensure that you get it checked often as high blood pressure increases your risks of getting a stroke. Follow your doctor’s advice on how to lower your blood pressure.
- Quit smoking early on
- Monitor your cholesterol levels. Cholesterols are a type of fat that can build up in the arteries and block your blood flow
- Control your diabetes as untreated diabetes leads to problems in the blood vessels
- Adopt a healthy diet filled with leafy greens, healthy fatty acids and fruits
Engage in physical activities every single day
