The majority of strokes could be prevented, according to new guidelines aimed at helping people and their doctors do just that.
Stroke, also known as cerebrovascular disease, was the third leading cause of death in Australia in 2023, behind heart attacks and dementia.
The condition accounted for 9,359 deaths in the nation in 2023 but 80 per cent of them could be prevented, according to The Stroke Foundation.
The first new guidelines on stroke prevention in 10 years from the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, include recommendations for people and doctors that reflect a better understanding of who gets strokes and why, along with new drugs that can help reduce risk.
The best way to reduce people’s risk is also the best way to reduce risk for a host of health problems – eat a healthy diet, move your body and don’t smoke.
The bad news is that it’s not always so easy to sustain.
Dr. Sean Duke, a stroke doctor at the University of Mississippi Medical Centre, blames the forces in society that keep people sedentary and eating poorly, like mobile phones and cheap, unhealthy food.
“Our world is stacked against us,” he said. Here’s what to know about stroke and the new guidelines:
What is a stroke?
A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or if a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
That deprives the brain of oxygen which can cause brain damage that can lead to difficulty thinking, talking and walking, or even death.
How eating healthy can reduce your risk for stroke
Eating healthy can help control several factors that increase your risk for stroke, including high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and obesity, according to the heart association.
The group recommends foods in the so-called Mediterranean diet such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and olive oil, which can help keep cholesterol levels down.
It suggests limiting red meat and other sources of saturated fat. Instead, get your protein from beans, nuts, poultry, fish and seafood.
Limit highly processed foods and foods and drinks with a lot of added sugar. This can also reduce your calorie intake, which helps keep weight in check.
