{"id":76,"date":"2017-06-08T16:21:38","date_gmt":"2017-06-08T16:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/stroke\/?page_id=76"},"modified":"2024-10-10T11:26:28","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T15:26:28","slug":"stroke-infographic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/stroke\/stroke-infographic\/","title":{"rendered":"Stroke Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Stroke Prevention Tips<\/h3>\t\t\t

Live a Healthy Lifestyle.<\/strong>
\nIf you want to prevent a heart attack or stroke, the CDC recommends living a healthy lifestyle and preventing or treating your medical conditions.<\/p>\n

Don’t smoke.<\/strong>
\nCigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for stroke. So, if you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for stroke. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.<\/p>\n

Maintain a healthy weight.
\n<\/strong>Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for stroke. To determine whether your weight is in a healthy range, doctors often calculate a number called the body mass index (BMI). Doctors sometimes also use waist and hip measurements to measure a person’s excess body fat.<\/p>\n

Exercise regularly<\/strong>.
\nPhysical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure, thus preventing a stroke.
\nThe Surgeon General recommends that adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.<\/p>\n

Eat a healthy diet.<\/strong>
\nChoosing healthful meal and snack options can help you avoid stroke and other chronic conditions. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
\nEating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high blood cholesterol. Limiting salt or sodium in your diet can also lower your blood pressure.<\/p>\n

Limit alcohol use.<\/strong>
\nAvoid drinking too much alcohol, which causes high blood pressure.<\/p>\n

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Manage or Treat Your Medical Conditions.<\/strong>
\nIf you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, there are steps you can take to lower your risk for stroke.<\/p>\n