The health of the heart is a determining factor in the chances a person will experience a stroke at some point in their lives. High blood pressure and other forms of heart disease account for approximately 70% of all strokes. For this reason, it’s important to understand how to keep the heart healthy in order to minimize the chances of experiencing a stroke.
How a Stroke Affects the Body
A stroke occurs when the oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain is cut off. Most often, this happens when a blood vessel bursts or a blood clot blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood and nutrients. A stroke is extremely dangerous. When the oxygen to the brain is blocked, the brain will start to die.
The effects of a stroke vary depending on which side of the brain it affects. When a stroke impairs the left side of the brain, the right side of the body is impaired. Effects include paralysis on the right side, speech problems, and memory loss. When a stroke impairs the right side of the brain, it can cause paralysis on the left side of the body, vision problems, and memory loss.
How Heart Health Affects Stroke
One way the health of the heart can lead to a stroke is through high blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke in a variety of different ways. First of all, it quickens the effects of atherosclerosis, which occurs when plaque made from fatty deposits and cholesterol build up on the walls of the arteries, causing them to narrow. When the arteries narrow, the blood flow to the brain slows.
High blood pressure also causes these build-ups on the artery walls to break loose, where they then travel throughout the bloodstream in the form of clots. These clots lead to the blockage of the blood to the brain, resulting in a type of stroke called and embolic stroke.
High blood pressure can also cause a stroke by breaking down the walls of the arteries. This causes blood vessels to become weak and eventually break. When blood vessels in the brain burst, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs.
High cholesterol levels also contribute to the likelihood of a stroke. An excess of cholesterol in the blood clogs the arteries, not only raising blood pressure but preventing blood and oxygen from reaching the brain.
Taking Care of Your Heart
In order to reduce your chances of developing a stroke, there are many things you can do to improve and maintain the health of your heart:
Diet. Eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, protein, and whole grains can reduce the likelihood of developing high blood pressure.
Exercise. Regular exercise can not only help maintain a healthy weight, but also curb the onslaught of high blood pressure and other factors that lead to heart disease and an eventual stroke.
Smoking. The link between smoking and high blood pressure is indisputable – chemicals in nicotine affect not only blood pressure, but can lead to a stroke as well.
Alcohol consumption. A high level of alcohol consumption has been linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. Aim for no more than two drinks a day as an absolute maximum.
Stress management. High levels of stress have also been linked to high blood pressure. Learning to manage stress levels can help prevent high blood pressure.
A stroke is a serious, life-altering (if not deadly) event. However, 80% of strokes are said to be preventable, and your chances of developing a stroke can be reduced a great deal by taking care of your heart.