What You Can Do to Reduce Risk of Stroke and Heart Attacks

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(No Transcript)
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• Each year in the United States, approximately
  795,000 people have strokes and 790,000 people
  have heart attacks, according to the CDC.
• Cardiovascular disease is the number one
  underlying cause of death in the U.S.,
  outnumbering all kinds of cancer.
• Almost anyone can have a stroke or heart attack,
  but there is a greater risk if you are obese,
  diabetic, elderly or a smoker. High-risk
  individuals should know how to prevent a stroke
  or heart attack in advance.

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• If a person is having a stroke, they may have
  numbness or weakness in the face or limbs,
  confusion, difficulty speaking, vision problems,
  poor coordination or severe headache.
• If a person is having a heart attack, they may
  have jaw or neck pain, a feeling of
  lightheadedness, chest pain, pain that radiates
  into the arm or shoulder or difficulty breathing.
  
• If you notice these signs in yourself or someone
  else, call 911 right away. The sooner medical
  professionals can get there, the better the
  outcome.

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• Maintain a healthy weight/BMI, as overweight and
  obese individuals are at higher risk.
• Get plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables,
  prevent high cholesterol with low-fat, high-fiber
  foods, and limit your sodium intake to prevent
  high blood pressure.
• Strengthen your heart and improve overall
  physical health with regular cardio exercise
  (walking, jogging, dancing, etc.), around 2.5
  hours per week.

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• Smoking is a huge risk factor for both stroke and
  heart attack, as it can narrow and thicken blood
  vessels, increase plaque build-up, increase the
  risk of blood clots and cause a variety of other
  damage.
• According to the CDC, smoking is responsible for
  as many as one-third of all cardiovascular
  disease deaths.
• Find a quitting method that works for you.
  Smoking cessation programs, over-the-counter
  products and peer support groups can be great
  resources.

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• Stress is a commonly underestimated factor in
  heart attack and stroke risk.
• Reduce stress by doing things like talking to a
  counselor, scheduling time for your hobbies,
  improving your sleep quality, taking on fewer
  commitments or meditating.
• For those with anxiety disorders, treatment is
  extremely important. If constant stress and worry
  are negatively impacting your life, undiagnosed
  anxiety could be putting stress on your heart.

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• Work with your doctor to monitor your overall
  health and keep an eye on any health conditions
  or other risk factors you may already have.
• As you age or develop other risk factors, it's
  especially important to have regular exams and
  any doctor-recommended testing to detect any
  potential problems early on.
• Taking a proactive approach and knowing you're
  fully informed about your health can be very
  reassuring, potentially reducing stress and
  further lowering your risk.

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Crystal Run Healthcare in New York is a
leading-edge medical practice providing
patient-centered care and patient convenience.
Our exceptional primary care providers work with
each patient to manage their health and
coordinate any tests, labs or follow-up care
needed with specialists. To learn more, visit
www.crystalrunhealthcare.com
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• https//www.cdc.gov/stroke/healthy_living.htm
• https//www.cdc.gov/stroke/index.htm
• http//www.heart.org/HEARTORG/General/Heart-and-St
  roke-Association-Statistics_UCM_319064_SubHomePage
  .jsp
• https//www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases
  /heart-disease-stroke.html