Getting
rid of them will save your brain.
Strokes,
the most common cause of disability in the United States, are debilitating,
often fatal, and easily preventable. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 80 percent of strokes are avoidable. It's simple and
beneficial to begin by avoiding everyday unhealthy habits. According to the
CDC, these are the daily habits that increase your risk of stroke.
1.
Unhealthy Diet
The
CDC links high-fat, trans-fat, and cholesterol diets to stroke and heart
disease. Furthermore, high-sodium diets can cause high blood pressure, a key
risk factor for stroke.
2.
Being Sedentary
According
to the CDC, "not receiving enough physical exercise might lead to other
health issues that can increase the risk of stroke." Obesity, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are among these health issues.
According
to the American Heart Association, experts recommend doing at least 150 minutes
of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week to
minimize your risk of stroke and other health concerns (ideally spread
throughout the week).
Brisk
strolling, leisurely biking, gardening, and dancing are moderate-intensity
activities. Running, swimming, cycling, and rowing are all examples of vigorous
movement.
3.
Obesity
Obesity,
defined as a BMI of 30 or more, is a significant risk factor for diabetes and
high blood pressure, increasing stroke risk. Obesity is also connected to
elevated cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats), which can harden arteries
and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
4.
Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Too
much alcohol can raise your blood triglyceride levels, hardening arteries and
increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke. It can also cause an increase
in blood pressure, which increases the risk of a stroke. Experts recommend that
you drink in moderation to lower your risk of stroke and other serious health
problems—no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for
men.
5.
Using Tobacco
Thousands of poisons are found in tobacco smoke. They can harm the heart and artery walls when breathed, raising your risk of stroke. "The nicotine in cigarettes elevates blood pressure, and the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke limits the amount of oxygen your blood can carry," according to the CDC, which also warns that secondhand smoke is dangerous.