Physician Offices in Washington DC Talk of Three Big Risk Factors of Stroke

According to World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people carries the risk of suffering from a stroke. It is the second major cause of death in the world and the third major cause of making people disabled.

What is stroke?

Stroke happens when blood flow to a certain area of the brain gets interrupted. This blocks the supply of oxygen and vital nutrients to the brain cells, causing them to die. And this happens within seconds. That’s why every second is vital during a stroke episode.

Who is more at risk of getting a stroke?

Lifestyle plays a crucial role in our overall health. Daily habits influence the risk of getting a stroke. Healthy habits reduce the risk, while unhealthy habits increase the risk.

Here are 3 daily habits that can increase the risk of stroke.

1. Daily salt intake

Do you eat a lot of packaged food or canned food? Is it your daily habit to rip open a bag of chips or canned stuff and munch on it? If yes, then you are at a high risk of stroke. Canned and packaged foods contain high sodium, trans fats, and saturated fats, along with nitrate preservatives. All of these can combine to give you heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and increase your chance of getting a stroke.

Cut down on packaged foods. Choose home-cooked healthy meals. You can also undergo a cholesterol panel at the physician offices in Washington DC to check your cholesterol status while you change your eating habits.

Why not put together a piping hot meal made from seasonal fresh veggies for you and your family every day?

2. Sedentary lifestyle

Are you a couch potato? Do you love to sit in front of the television or smartphone or laptop for hours together without moving an inch? If yes, then you are paving your way towards a stroke. Sedentary lifestyle is also associated with obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. All these are also risk factors for stroke. Besides, when you do not move your body, you accumulate more toxins. Your body systems become sluggish, including your metabolism and blood circulation. This can affect your brain.

Time to get up and take a walk.

Walk into physician offices in Alexandria, VA, for a physical examination to check your health status.

3. Daily alcohol intake/cigarette smoking

Is binge drinking your favorite pastime? Do you often or daily go overboard with your choice of poison? Well, time to put down the shots, if you want to live. According to CDC, drinking excessively can shoot up your blood pressure and enhance the risk of stroke. It can raise triglyceride levels. This is a form of fat present in the blood. Its buildup can harden the arteries. Too much drinking daily can increase your risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Nicotine in cigarette smoke raises blood pressure. Carbon monoxide reduces blood supply across the body.

When it comes to that extra shot or a cigarette, “no” means “no.” In case you are doubtful of your health, you can walk into the physician offices in Washington, DC, and undergo a health checkup.