How Does Exercise Prevent a Stroke?

How Does Exercise Prevent a Stroke?
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What is A Stroke?

A stroke is defined by sudden loss of brain function due to a lack of oxygen or glucose. This is usually brought on by thrombosis or embolism. Thromboisis is the forming of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, while an embolism is an object that moves from one part of the body to another, causing a blockage. Strokes are a very serious medical condition that often result in paralysis and even death.

Lower Your Risk Factors

There are may ways to prevent a stroke. First and foremost, reducing risk factors is a must. Here is a list of them:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Smoking Cigarettes
  • Being Overweight/Obese
  • Alcohol Consumption
  • Using Drugs

Reducing or eliminating these factors is key in the preventing a stroke from occurring, but most likely the 2 best things you can do to prevent a stroke is to exercise and eat a balanced diet.

How To Use Nutrition To Help Prevent Stroke

Nutrition can be a huge tool when trying to reduce risk factors. Eating a diet that is rich in fish, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables has specifically been shown to significantly lower the risk of stroke in adults. A recent study in the journal, “Circulation”, showed that over 75,000 women that had followed the Mediterranean Diet for over 20 years reduced their risk of stroke by over 23%.

Using Exercise To Prevent Strokes

The most effective way to reduce your risk of having a stroke is to exercise. Aerobic exercise specifically, is key to preventing a stroke, because it makes it very hard for clots to form. When cardio activity is performed on a regular basis, it lowers blood pressure and increases the levels of HDL in your blood. HDL is the “good” cholesterol that removes excess fats and triglycerides from your blood, not allowing them clot, possibly causing a stroke. Cardiovascular exercise also strengthens your heart and helps to improve the overall quality of your blood vessles, making them softer and giving them more elasticity. You should make it a goal to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-to-intense exercise 6 days each week.