A stroke can occur without any warning

Almost everyone knows or has known someone, who had a stroke, died or struggled to recover from a stroke.

World Stroke Week is commemorated from October 28 to November 3. The purpose of the commemoration is to raise awareness on the symptoms of stroke and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

It is said that one in six strokes are linked to mental health. Depression and stress places the middle-aged and older folk at twice the risk of stroke and TIA (Transient ischemic attack).

A stroke occurs when the blood flow is cut off to part of the brain. Without blood which carries oxygen, brain cells can become damaged or die. The damage can have serious effects on the body, mobility, speech and on how the person thinks and feels.

The following advice is offered on prevention of a stroke: (Ref: WebMD).

• Regularly check your blood pressure to ensure that it is within the normal range.
• Quit smoking. Even breathing second-hand smoking can increase the chance of a stroke.
• Manage your heart. Consult a doctor if you have heart flutters or shortness of breath.
• Manage your alcohol. Binge drinking can trigger an irregular heartbeat.
• Manage your mental health. Stress, depression, anxiety, anger, hostility and other negative emotions place a person at higher risk of getting a stroke.
• Control your diabetes. High blood sugar levels can make you two to four times more likely to have a stroke.
• Exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor about the type and amount of exercise you can do according to your age and health.
• Eat healthy foods. Maintain your body mass index. Obesity is a high risk factor.
• Watch your cholesterol. Too much can clog your arteries and lead to heart attack and stroke.

You can live longer and healthier if you take good care of yourself and have regular medical checks.