The Risk Factors Associated with Strokes

by Larry Vestal

According to the American stroke Association high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. Cigarette smoking is also an important risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damage the cardiovascular system, especially the arterial lining. Diabetes is in itself an independent risk factor for a stroke. Many people who have diabetes also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight. This increases your chances of having a stroke even more. Poor diet is also another risk factor for heart disease. Diets high in sodium make for an increase in blood pressure. Diets with excessive calories can contribute to obesity and provide no real nutritional benefits. Did anyone say "Fast-food"? On the other end of the spectrum, it is suggested that a diet containing five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day may reduce the risk factor. Physical inactivity is also a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Being inactive, obese or both can increase the risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol diabetes heart disease and stroke.

Education is the Cure 

Unfortunately heart disease and it's realated problems will end the lives of more people than all other diseases combined. The reason for this is that the majority of people are still unaware of how to avoid it. Most of the public recognizes that the risk for heart disease increases with bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. Other factors include diabetes, obesity and a poor diet increase the risk factors for heart disease. Another important fact with regard to the disease is that the earlier the intervention that one takes with regard to heart disease the better chance an individual has of overcoming it. The Framingham study, the largest study to date on heart disease tells us that the average LDL cholesterol of all people who have a heart attack is only 150. What is important to recognize with regard to this is that LDL cholesterol is made up of many particles and it is those particles that carry the most risk for heart disease. The real threat comes from when cholesterol oxidizes. Oxidize cholesterol magnifies its ability to maim and destroy. The key to prevention of heart disease is educating oneself with regard to the risk factors personally involved, knowing the right diet for the individual, knowing the right exercise and what supplements if any to take.

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