Medical Transport Assistance: Stroke Risk and Prevention

The impact of Stroke in the United States cannot be overstated. Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability and is the No. 5 cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 130,000 people a year according to the American Stroke Association. Statistically, someone in the United States dies of a stroke every 40 seconds.

So what can we done to prevent the impact of stroke? Review these risk factors and take these steps to lower your risk for stroke:

Check for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The trickiest part of having high blood pressure is that there are often no symptoms, so you need to get your blood pressure checked often. Lowering your blood pressure can lower your risk for stroke.

Control High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in all cells of your body. Your body needs cholesterol to make hormones and vitamin D, and to help digest foods. Your liver already produces enough cholesterol for your body’s needs, so when we take in extra from our food, the cholesterol builds up in the arteries. High cholesterol increases your risk for stroke and heart disease. Consult with your doctor and take a blood test to see if you have high levels of cholesterol in your blood.

Control Diabetes

Diabetes increases your risk for stroke because a diabetic’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin, which is a hormone that helps move glucose from your food into your body’s cells. Diabetes builds up sugar in the blood and prevents oxygen and nutrients from spreading throughout the body and brain. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about stroke prevention.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Being overweight or obese increases your risk for stroke, so you can help prevent stroke by making healthy lifestyle choices. Choose to eat fruits, vegetables and other food that is low in saturated fats, trans fat and cholesterol. Physical activity will also help you stay at a healthy weight and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. The CDC recommends that adults get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week, and children and teens should get one hour of physical activity every day.

No smoking, and limit alcohol consumption

The addictive behavior of cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for stroke. Talk to your doctor about ways you can quit smoking. Additionally, avoiding the consumption of alcohol will keep your blood pressure low. The CDC recommends that men should not have more than two drinks per day, and women should not have more than one.

If you do find yourself in an emergency health situation, the services of a medical air transport provider might become necessary. Rico Aviation, a medical transport company certified by the state of Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, is a complete bed-to-bed service that operates as a MICU, Critical Care air ambulance. Learn more about how Rico Aviation provides the highest quality of care possible by visiting our website or contact 806-331-7426.