MARQUETTE -- A healthy lifestyle can cut the risk for first time stroke by 80%. That's according to new guidelines released by the American Stroke Association.
It may seem simple enough, but by not smoking, and by exercising, and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you can help avoid a stroke.
"Diet and exercise is one of the main ways that we can take an active part in preventing strokes," says neurologist Dr. Brian Macfaldo. "The guidelines for recommendations for exercise if you can tolerate it is 30 minutes of activity a day; now this can be anything including just walking, it doesn't have to be high strenuous exercise."
There are several risk factors for strokes.
Hypertension, smoking, elevated cholesterol, a sedentary lifestyle, family history of strokes, age, and in some cases, race.
"We need to take as much control over stroke risk factors as we can, there are certain risk factors that we can't avoid, but there are things that we can do in terms of modifying our lifestyle," Dr. Macfaldo adds.
One of the ways you can modify your lifestyle is by exercising, but it's important to find something that you're going to enjoy.
"Exercise really helps decrease the risk of a lot of chronic diseases, as well as types of cancer, diabetes, heart-related diseases, so keeping your body moving and exercising will help, everything from mentally and physically in your body," says Jenna Zdunek, Health and Wellness Director at the Marquette YMCA.
Some other suggested exercises are things you may already do, like cross-country skiing or walking.
"We were given muscles for a reason, so I mean our bodies are our machine and we need to use those muscles and we need to move our machines," Zdunek says.
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