Eleven tips for avoiding a life-threatening stroke

Las Vegas, Nevada – The Lions HealthFirst Foundation offers 11 tips for avoiding stroke, heart disease and other circulatory related problems.

Every 3-minutes someone in the U.S. dies from a stroke. Every year over 700,000 Americans over 50 die or suffer crippling disabilities from a stroke. There are 4.4 million stroke survivors with disabilities. Yet strokes can be prevented with early detection.

A stroke occurs when there's a disruption of blood flow to the brain. Strokes are the most common cause of neurological disability in the United States, usually resulting from atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) or hypertension. To avoid strokes the Lions HealthFirst Foundation suggests the following lifestyle changes.

One. Maintain a healthy body weight and lifestyle: Exercise aerobically four times a week for 30 to 40 minutes; eat lots of fruits, vegetables and high-fiber foods.
Two. Avoid fats, especially saturated fats found in meat, butter and beef shortening.
Three. Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure makes the heart and blood vessels work harder. Treat high blood pressure as recommended by your doctor.
Four. Check your cholesterol. Most malls and many senior centers offer cholesterol tests for a nominal fee.
Five. Test your blood sugar. Chronic high blood sugar is harmful to the arteries. Free blood sugar testing is often offered at pharmacies.
Six. Ask your doctor to check your blood hematocrit level. High hematocrits make a person more prone to strokes.
Seven. Stop smoking if you do. Nicotine causes the blood vessels to narrow and constrict, which impedes circulation.
Eight. Reduce or eliminate drug and alcohol intake. Abuse of either can cause strokes in teenagers and young adults.
Nine. Avoid constipation. Straining to move your bowels is hard on your heart and blood vessels.
Ten. Relax. Reduce your stress. Chronic stress causes the blood vessels to narrow, which makes blood pressure rise and the heart work harder. Take a yoga class, read a good book to your loved one, pray, meditate or do whatever else relaxes you and increases your sense of well-being.
Eleven. Take an aspirin every other day unless otherwise advised by your doctor. Aspirin helps your blood flow more easily.

Tips & Warnings
• A coated aspirin will help avoid gastrointestinal side effects.
• Ask your doctor if you should make any exercise and dietary changes, and discuss the suggested changes above before implementing them.
• If you have disturbances in your vision, have difficulty speaking or experience even minor, temporary paralysis in any of your extremities, go to your local emergency room immediately.
• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
The Lions HealthFirst Foundation is a project of the Las Vegas International Lions Club. The Foundation is a public charity and IRS 501(c)(3) approved.

Lions Clubs International, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with health and vision problems in over 200 countries. Worldwide, we have 1.4 million members. In Nevada we have over 1400 active members working to serve the community.

Since doctors normally cannot order diagnostic tests for preventive health purposes, we have created the Lions HealthFirst Foundation to provide FREE ultrasound screening to seniors with low income, who are without medical insurance or underinsured. And we provide inexpensive screenings for people burdened with high deductibles or co-payments.

For information about a free or low cost wellness screening, call 702-739-6393 and ask for Project Director Sol Lee.