How to prevent a stroke

Stroke, an acute disorder of cerebral circulation, is one of the most dangerous diseases of the cerebral vessels. About five hundred thousand people are hospitalized with this diagnosis in Russia every year. The peak occurs in February – March, when blood pressure is especially sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure. The disease is terrible with its ruthlessness: it is the leader (especially in countries with developed economies) among the causes of general mortality, leaving behind a heart attack, oncology, and trauma.

“Unfortunately, no drugs have been invented in the world, no effective methods of treating stroke have been developed. If a brain catastrophe has occurred, any, the best clinic can only to a very small extent affect the outcome of the disease. The only thing one can hope for is to save the patient's life, since the destroyed parts of the brain cannot be restored. " On such a sad note, the conversation began with the Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences Yevgeny Shirokov. He is a highly qualified neurologist, for almost thirty years he has been dealing with the problems of acute cerebrovascular accidents.

- Are there any prospects with a decrease in these "huge numbers" outlined? After all, the third millennium is in the yard.

- Strokes are not getting less. Not only with us. In all civilized countries. Stressful, environmental loads are growing, many other factors unfavorable for the body “hit” the vessels. They lose elasticity, become clogged with atherosclerotic plaques, narrow, or even completely clog. The brain is unusually sensitive to a lack of blood and oxygen, and the central nervous system is partially or completely affected.

Of course, the increase in morbidity is associated with an increase in the average life expectancy of people. Aging inevitably leads to disruptions in the cardiovascular system. Those who are "over 60" have acquired such a "bouquet" of ailments, which are just a stone's throw from a stroke. However, another very alarming factor has appeared - acute disturbance of cerebral circulation is increasingly occurring in young people, full of creative strength. In recent years, the number of ischemic (note, not hemorrhagic, which has always been considered a "privilege" of young age) strokes between the ages of 40 and 50 has increased eightfold. But, unfortunately, there are still no effective stroke prevention programs.

- But nobody refutes the concept of risk factors for disorders of acute cerebral circulation. Isn't this the basis for developing a reliable strategy and tactics for disease prevention?

- At first glance, the situation is really paradoxical. There are many (more than 100) risk factors that undoubtedly provoke a stroke. The most significant, in addition to hereditary vascular pathology, include:

Arterial hypertension - any prolonged "jump" of pressure (hypertensive crisis) - a path to vascular spasm, hemorrhage;

Elevated cholesterol levels - by the way, it is not directly associated, as is commonly believed, with general obesity - and at normal weight often goes off scale;

Obesity and the use of a number of drugs for weight correction;

Changes in the structure of food - alcohol, passion for fatty foods;

Smoking - tobacco smoke, regardless of whether you smoke yourself or passively "swallow" the "rings" released by the interlocutor, constricts the blood vessels;

Hypodynamia;

Stress;

Taking some oral contraceptives;

Diabetes mellitus, which seriously damages blood vessels.

There is also a concept of risk factors: mathematically reliable links between diseases (hypertension, atherosclerosis), syndromes, life circumstances and indisputable facts of stroke. But all these, I repeat, are only conditions, not causes of the disease. Risk factors contribute to the occurrence of pathological processes that lead to the occurrence of cerebrovascular accident, but this is not the true cause of stroke.

- But what is the cause of the stroke?

- The true cause of stroke was formulated in the eighties of the last century by the outstanding domestic cardiologist IK Shkhvatsabay. The patient's history is aggravated by many risk factors - atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, he can live in an environmentally unfavorable or stressful atmosphere, smoke and drink, but until a specific vascular situation occurs, defined as a hemodynamic crisis, there will be no stroke.

There are many such crises, very different in clinical manifestations and mechanisms of occurrence. The most famous is hypertensive. But, as it turned out, even in patients with arterial hypertension, a hypotonic crisis can develop - a sharp decrease in blood pressure, often leading to the development of a stroke. The cause of a stroke can be an arrhythmic, neuroendocrine or crisis associated with an increase in blood viscosity (hemorheological). A huge field for studying the pathogenetic mechanisms of stroke lies in determining the properties of blood - its coagulability, viscosity, the ability to carry out microcirculation. And this is precisely what the concept of risk factors does not take into account.

The main reason, in my opinion, is the insufficient equipment of our medical institutions with all the equipment necessary for this. Only in recent years, with the introduction of new medical technologies and research methods into practice (ultrasound of blood vessels, echocardiography, long-term monitoring of the functions of the cardiovascular system, echocardiography, duplex scanning of the main arteries of the head), there has appeared a real opportunity to translate all theoretical studies into reality, put a barrier on the way brain catastrophe. Well, besides, which is important, the results of the studies obtained should be assessed not by one specialist - a therapist or a neurologist, but by three: a cardiologist, a neurologist and a vascular surgeon.

Simple ways to avoid a stroke

Shirokov Evgeny Alekseevich

Stroke- sudden damage to the brain as a result of a violation of its blood supply is not an independent disease. This is always a serious complication of an already existing pathological process or disease, the symptoms of which, most often, declare their existence for a long time.

The modern system of stroke prevention is based on the identification and elimination of the so-called risk factors for the disease - various factors of the external and internal environment, which have a statistically significant relationship with acute cerebrovascular accidents.

This definition is fully consistent with the factors common for most diseases of the cardiovascular system:

  • Chronic physical inactivity
  • Excess salt intake
  • Nutritional imbalances since childhood
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • The effect of certain drugs
  • Influence of the environment
  • Occupational hazards

Eliminating or reducing the negative impact of risk factors is at the heart of a population-based stroke control strategy. The preventive potential of this area is extremely great and is far from being exhausted. However, individual direction seems to be no less important.

Individual prevention of stroke is based on a clear understanding of the degree of danger for each person and knowledge of the first, most important signs of threat.

How to determine the degree of danger? This can be done using the results of a medical examination. The minimum scope of such an examination should include: systematic measurements of blood pressure, ECG, ultrasound duplex scanning of the carotid arteries and blood tests (total, glucose, cholesterol, indicators reflecting the state of the blood coagulation system).

The results of such an examination allow us to identify four syndromes that are most directly related to stroke. Let us list them in terms of frequency of occurrence among the population: arterial hypertension, increased blood clotting with a high probability of blood clots, cardiac arrhythmias (arrhythmia), atherosclerotic narrowing of the lumen of large arteries of the brain (stenosis).

Based on statistical data, it is possible to roughly estimate the individual absolute risk of stroke (the probability of developing the disease within a year).

5% Individual Stroke Probability Scale

Stroke prevention: how to avoid and what remedies

Timely commenced stroke prevention can prevent the development of this pathology in 80% of cases. Let's talk briefly about the causes of the disease, which must be prevented.

Effective prevention of cerebral stroke is impossible without knowledge of the causes of the development of this disease.

Depending on the causes of its occurrence, it is divided into 2 main types: ischemic stroke or cerebral infarction and hemorrhagic stroke or cerebral hemorrhage.

A cerebral infarction occurs when blood stops flowing through the arteries that feed a specific area of ​​the brain. This can happen for the following reasons:

  • the growth of atherosclerotic plaque;
  • a detached blood clot that enters the blood vessels of the brain from the heart valves at the time of the sudden onset of arrhythmia;
  • a drop in blood pressure or a decrease in the amount of blood pumped by the heart;
  • an increase in blood viscosity with the formation of its clots in the vessels of the brain.

The main cause of hemorrhage in the brain substance is a sharp jump in blood pressure. Unable to withstand it, the vessels burst. In rare cases, at constantly high values ​​of blood pressure, there is a gradual "squeezing" of blood through the vessel wall into the brain tissue. With the accumulation of a sufficient amount of blood, neurological symptoms develop.

Thus, the considered reasons help to understand how to prevent stroke and prevent the development of neurological complications.

Who is stroke prevention important for?

Doctors have compiled a list of conditions (risk group) in which prevention is mandatory:

  • women over 50, men over 45;
  • hypertension (high blood pressure);
  • heart failure;
  • heart disease with arrhythmias (arrhythmias);
  • high blood pressure (hypertension);
  • diseases accompanied by the formation of blood clots;
  • diabetes;
  • smokers with experience.

A special place among these conditions is occupied by the prevention of stroke in old age. People after 50 years of age experience normal age-related changes in blood vessels - a decrease in the elasticity of the vascular wall, which may not withstand a sharp increase in pressure, for example, against a background of stress or strong emotions.

Stroke prevention measures

Since the reasons for the development of circulatory disorders in the brain completely coincide with those in acute disorders of the blood supply to the heart muscle, therefore, the prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction can be carried out according to a single scheme.

For the convenience of patients, a “Stroke Prevention Guide” has been compiled. It includes 7 items.

Item 1. Blood pressure - under control

In 99% of cases, hypertension is to blame for the development of cerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the level of blood pressure under control. Its normal values ​​are: systolic ("upper") - not higher than 140 mm Hg. Art. diastolic ("lower") - not higher than 90 mm Hg. Art.

How to avoid stroke in patients with hypertension? To do this, you must have a personal blood pressure monitor. Elderly patients should choose automatic or semi-automatic models, because they do not require special skills to use them. The results should be recorded in a diary: in the morning after waking up, at lunchtime, in the evening before going to bed, noting the date and the values ​​obtained.

If you find high blood pressure values ​​for the first time, you should immediately consult a doctor. Once a diagnosis of hypertension has been made, monitoring blood pressure can help assess the effectiveness of the prescribed drugs and change the treatment regimen if necessary.

Item 2. Combating cardiac arrhythmia

Blood clots that form in the cavity of the heart and on its valves in some diseases can enter the general bloodstream and block the lumen of the cerebral vessels. The risk of this increases if there is an abnormal heart rhythm - arrhythmias. Patients at risk must undergo an ECG (electrocardiography) once every six months. If heart rhythm abnormalities are found, take prescribed antiarrhythmic medications to prevent stroke.

Point 3. Bad habits - stop!

Stroke occurs in smokers twice as often as in people without bad habits. This is because nicotine narrows the arteries in the brain and reduces the elasticity of the vascular wall. Under unfavorable conditions, the vessels may not withstand a sharp rise in blood pressure and rupture.

It has been proven that if you stop smoking, then after 5 years the likelihood of developing a stroke decreases to the average level in patients of this age.

Item 4. Cholesterol - no

Prevention of ischemic stroke is to prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. All patients who are at risk should check their blood for lipids at least once every six months.

You need to start lowering your cholesterol levels by changing your eating and exercise habits.

The menu for those who want to prevent the development of a stroke should include: steam, boiled and stewed meat products, herbs, low-fat dairy products, lean meat, fish, olive oil.

Exercise should be selected based on age and existing medical conditions. The main thing is that physical activity is daily. Walking at a gentle pace for 30-60 minutes every day is appropriate for most patients.

If non-drug methods are insufficient, the doctor should prescribe anti-lipid (anti-cholesterol) drugs to prevent stroke.

Item 5. Attention, diabetes!

Changes in the vascular wall in diabetes mellitus are an important factor in increasing the risk of developing circulatory disorders in the brain. Therefore, it is so important to regularly examine the blood glucose level: once every six months, if there are no complaints, and strictly according to the scheme suggested by the doctor if the diagnosis has already been made.

Item 6. Prevention of blood clots

Preparations for the prevention of stroke and heart attack, acting on the ability of blood to clot, prevent the formation of microthrombi. They are vital for patients who have undergone various types of operations with vein diseases (varicose veins).

Clause 7. Don't waste time

Cerebral infarction, unlike hemorrhage, rarely develops suddenly. Most often, it is possible to identify the precursors of stroke, recognizing in time which it is possible to prevent the development of serious neurological disorders.

You should immediately call an ambulance if the following symptoms are observed:

  • sudden weakness, dizziness;
  • numbness in the arms, legs, or on any side of the face;
  • difficulty speaking;
  • sudden visual impairment;
  • acutely developed sharp headache.

For the convenience of the patient and a reminder of the main directions of prevention of cerebrovascular accidents, you can print and hang in prominent places pictures of "stroke prevention".

The power of nature for vascular health

Stroke prevention with folk remedies can be carried out exclusively as an addition to the drugs prescribed by the doctor for this purpose.

Traditional medicine is able to prevent the development of a stroke, mainly by strengthening the vascular wall and cleansing the body of excess cholesterol.

Tincture of Japanese Sophora

Sophora Japanese will help to give strength to the vessels and restore elasticity. Take its dried buds and pour a 70% solution of medical alcohol at the rate of 1 spoonful of raw materials for 5 tablespoons of liquid. Insist for 2-3 days, do not store in the light. Take 20 drops after each meal (3-4 times a day).

Lemon honey paste

This recipe will help lower cholesterol and clear blood vessels. Wash 1 lemon, 1 orange thoroughly with a brush and rotate in a meat grinder along with the peel. Drain excess juice. The mass should be thick. Introduce 1 tablespoon of natural thick honey into the resulting gruel and mix. The effect can be achieved by taking 1 tsp. pasta after every meal.

Common rape

The common rape herb will help to strengthen blood vessels and prevent cholesterol from settling on them. Insist the dried raw materials in boiling water in a glass container for 1 hour. For the infusion, 1 part of the herb and 20 parts of water are taken. Drink half a glass 4 times a day.

Navigation

Stroke means an acute disorder of cerebral circulation. It can occur as a result of impaired blood flow in the vessels or rupture of the wall of the blood channel. The peculiarities of life place the majority of modern people at risk, therefore, the prevention of primary stroke is indicated for all people, without exception. The approach is based on simple and affordable measures. They are able not only to minimize the risk of developing an emergency condition, but also to have a general beneficial effect on the body.

The principles of primary and secondary prevention of stroke are very similar. Their application in practice can reduce the likelihood of a problem by 80-85%.

How to prevent a stroke

Brain disaster is one of the most dangerous conditions that can lead to death or disability of a person.

In most cases, in order to avoid a stroke, it is enough to adjust the usual regimen and adopt a number of simple recommendations from doctors. This is especially true for people with excess weight, hypertension and other chronic diseases, intellectual workers.

A big mistake is made by someone who believes that it is necessary only in old age. In recent years, the pathology has become noticeably younger. It has ceased to be a rarity in men 35-40 years old and women of reproductive age. Under the influence of negative factors, a stroke can occur at a very young age.

Prevention of heart attack and stroke is:

  • primary - a list of measures aimed at eliminating irritants and moments that provoke CVA;
  • secondary - manipulations and rules that should prevent the recurrence of a brain catastrophe;
  • tertiary - actions with the help of which the restoration of people affected by cerebrovascular accident is carried out.

Prevention of cardiovascular disease is based on the same principles as in the case of stroke. This is due to the same mechanisms for the development of impaired blood supply to the brain and heart muscle. In both cases, the main goal is to increase the functionality of the blood channels and fight against disease provocateurs.

Primary stroke prevention

Environmental pollution, being in a state of chronic stress, eating junk food due to the inability to eat peacefully are the moments that most modern people face. All of them lead to a decrease in the functionality of blood vessels, which affects the blood supply to the brain. Over time, the age factor joins this, the situation is aggravated by hormonal changes in the body.

Primary stroke prevention aims to minimize the adverse effects of these moments. It should be comprehensive and constant, then you can count on the desired effect.

Blood pressure control

turns out to be the result of an increase in blood pressure in 99% of cases. The risk group includes those whose indicator data exceed 140 to 90 mm Hg. Art. The elderly, people with excess body weight, representatives of responsible posts and intellectual professions suffer from arterial hypertension. Pathological can provoke systematic hypothermia of the body. The danger is represented by irregular physical activity. If at least one of the listed points is affected, it is recommended to purchase a tonometer and monitor blood pressure. If hypertension is detected, you should consult a physician for advice.

Prevention of thrombosis

Ischemic stroke often occurs against the background of the formation of blood clots in the vessels and blockage these substances of the lumens of the channels. Such structures appear as a result of a violation of the process of blood clotting, an increase in its density, the tendency of platelets to stick together. Prevention of thrombosis involves the use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. Taking such drugs is indicated for people with a history of thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, poor blood test results, any type of surgery. It is forbidden to use medicines on your own, without a doctor's prescription! Otherwise, in an attempt to avoid the formation of blood clots, other complications can be provoked.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

The risk of developing a stroke is dramatically increased in people with high blood cholesterol levels and arrhythmias.

In the first case, due to the adhesion of cholesterol plaques to the walls of the blood channels, a person may develop atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels. Their gaps will significantly narrow, which will disrupt blood flow, and the medulla will begin to experience a deficiency of oxygen and nutrients. With arrhythmias, the likelihood of removing blood clots from the heart cavity into the vessels increases, which is also fraught with ischemic stroke. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases must be dealt with in a comprehensive manner, under the guidance of a cardiologist.

Preventive examinations

Each person at least once a year should visit a local therapist and take general tests. This will allow you to assess the state of the body, identify problem areas, and start treatment of latent or chronic diseases on time. After 50-55 years, the frequency of visits to specialists is recommended to be doubled.

Prevention of strokes under the guidance of a doctor includes the following points:

  • checking cholesterol and blood sugar levels;
  • or ;
  • blood pressure measurement;
  • assessment of the density of blood and the rate of its coagulation;
  • comparison of a person's weight with his optimal weight, selection of measures to normalize indicators;
  • assessment of the psycho-emotional state of the visitor, selection of antidepressants or sedatives according to indications.

Additionally, you may need to visit a physiotherapy room or a doctor for exercise therapy. In combination, all activities help to reduce the load on the heart, strengthen the vascular walls, normalize blood flow and blood pressure. Based on the results of examinations, the doctor sometimes recommends drug prevention of stroke.

How to avoid a second stroke

After a stroke, victims have to completely change their lifestyle. If this is not done, the likelihood of developing a relapse of the condition will be almost 100%. Prevention of cerebral stroke in such a situation is largely the same as the primary approach, but it is much stricter.

In some cases, it is additionally indicated to resort to drug approaches. Sometimes surgical methods are used. Prevention and treatment of pathology at this stage should be agreed with the doctor. Only strict adherence to the recommendations of a specialist will minimize the danger of a second brain catastrophe, which in most cases is fatal.

Secondary prevention of stroke

Measures aimed at preventing recurrent stroke start already in the intensive care unit. A whole team of specialists works with the patient until he is brought out of critical condition. Further, the responsibility for maintaining the achieved results rests with the patient himself and his relatives.

Secondary prevention is aimed at:

  • treatment of the underlying disease that led to the stroke;
  • increasing the functionality of blood vessels, improving the texture of their walls;
  • elimination of the influence on the body of factors that can provoke a brain catastrophe;
  • general strengthening of the body;
  • reducing the risks of developing complications against the background of a pathological condition.

The prevention of recurrent ischemic stroke never stops. Compliance with simple rules allows not only to minimize the risks of relapse, but also to significantly improve the quality of life of the victim.

Antihypertensive therapy

Monitoring blood pressure and controlling its rise is the basis for preventing recurrent stroke. The main goal of the approach is to prevent hypertensive crises, which significantly increase the likelihood of developing stroke. Medication should be permanent. The drugs are selected by the doctor, taking into account the characteristics of the situation and the patient's condition. These can be individual drugs or whole complexes.

The main groups of drugs:

  • diuretics - "Indapamide", "Furosemide";
  • alpha blockers - "Doxazosin", "Prazosin";
  • beta blockers - Carvedilol, Nebivolol;
  • ACE inhibitors - "Fosinopril", "Captopril";
  • calcium channel blockers - "Nifedipine", "Amlodipine";
  • sartans - Telmisartan, Valsartan.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe the intake of natural diuretics such as a decoction of lingonberry leaves or an infusion of cranberries. They gently relieve edema, normalize blood pressure, strengthen immunity and have a positive effect on the state of blood vessels.

Drug prophylaxis

To prevent recurrent stroke, it is often required. The tablets must be prescribed by a doctor. Independent use of pharmacy products can lead to the opposite effect and aggravation of the victim's condition.

The action of drugs for the prevention of recurrent stroke can be aimed at:

  • the fight against blood clots - acetylsalicylic acid, "Clopidogrel" and other antiplatelet agents that prevent platelets from sticking together;
  • decrease in blood viscosity - "Sinkumar", "Pradaxa" and other anticoagulants that thin the biological fluid;
  • correction of blood cholesterol levels - taking statins, fibrates, niacin, fish oil preparations;
  • treatment of heart pathologies, diabetes mellitus, hormonal disorders and other chronic diseases.

Effective secondary prevention of stroke is possible only if the doctor's prescriptions are strictly followed. Attempts to change your medication schedule or dosage will not result in more pronounced or lasting results. This will only create an unnecessary burden on the body and provoke the development of side reactions.

Diet

The nutrition of the victim of a stroke should be aimed at strengthening blood vessels and lowering blood cholesterol levels. This can be achieved by avoiding fast food and limiting the amount of animal fats. The diet should include seafood, vegetables, fruits and nuts - all of which are rich in vitamins and minerals. If the patient is overweight, the calorie content of the dishes should be monitored. Simple carbohydrates should not be overused. Against the background of hypertension, it is recommended to minimize the amount of salt in the diet and other foods that increase blood pressure.

Surgery

Radical prevention of hemorrhagic stroke consists in identifying changes in the vascular walls and eliminating negative factors. Aneurysms are especially dangerous - protrusions of the walls of the arteries. They are detected using MRI, CT and other diagnostic methods, and then removed if conservative therapy does not help. Vascular prosthetics can help prevent ischemic cerebral catastrophe. Special frames are installed in them to maintain the optimal channel diameter.

Massage and exercise therapy

Primary and secondary prevention of stroke is impossible without the introduction of gentle sports loads into the human regimen. Regularly performed activities reduce the likelihood of developing a brain catastrophe or its recurrence by 30%.

Exercises for prevention of impact should be selected taking into account physical fitness. It doesn't have to be an intense workout at a professional level.

Long walks, jogging, swimming and daily warm-ups will suffice. For people who have already suffered from a cerebral stroke, such manipulations, in combination with specialized physiotherapy exercises, also allow them to cope with the consequences of pathology.

Traditional methods of prevention

The basis of natural therapy aimed at preventing stroke are pine cones, which perform several actions at once. They improve blood composition, cleanse blood channels, lower cholesterol levels, and fight high blood pressure. Alcohol or water tincture for raw materials strengthens blood vessels and has a tonic effect on the body.

Ancillary non-traditional means in the prevention of stroke and heart attack:

  • alcohol tincture on Japanese sophora - take five parts of alcohol for one part of the buds, insist in a dark place for three days, filter. Take up to 4 times a day, 20 drops before meals;
  • citrus honey - mince the peel of lemon and orange, squeeze the juice. Mix the thick mass in equal proportions with honey. Eat a teaspoon after each meal;
  • infusion of rape - take 20 parts of boiling water for one part of dried herb, leave for an hour and strain. During the day, you need to drink 100 ml of the composition, dividing it into 4 parts;
  • nutmeg powder - once a day, hold a pinch of the product under the tongue for five minutes, then swallow it and drink it with cold water.

All of these products must be taken continuously or in protracted courses for 4-8 weeks. Additionally, it is worth introducing into the prophylaxis mode the intake of fortifying folk remedies based on garlic, onions, and ginger. This will accelerate the elimination of toxins from the body, stimulate the immune system. In stressful work, you need to take care of the intake of natural soothing products - lemon balm or chamomile tea, valerian lozenges, aromatherapy.

Our life is full of stressful situations, daily experiences that, of course, affect the health of the cardiovascular system.

Therefore, in order to know how to prevent a cerebral stroke, you need to exclude or minimize the wrong lifestyle, inadequate (disordered) nutrition, alcohol, smoking and everything that puts the body into a stressful state.

Chronic stress provokes an increase in vascular tone, which leads to an increase in pressure. A condition arises when the vessels spasm, pressure surges occur, and a stroke occurs.

A change in well-being during a stroke occurs completely suddenly, when a person does not even suspect what exactly is happening to him. There may be a loss of consciousness, or a complete lack of understanding of the situation and stupor may occur. As a result, there is numbness of the limbs, partial loss of vision, and an inability to speak.

Along with the above signs of a stroke, other characteristic symptoms may appear.

Such as:

  • vague consciousness;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • facial asymmetry;
  • hearing impairment;
  • misunderstanding of the address, speech of loved ones.

If there is a suspicion of having a stroke, the patient must be hospitalized immediately!

If you do not take urgent measures, then the consequences of slowing down can be serious, even fatal. The faster the help, the better the chances of successful treatment.

Stroke prevention

It is always wiser to prevent illness than to cure it. In the case of a stroke, this problem is most acute, because it is a very dangerous disease with severe consequences. A cerebral stroke can occur in both young people and people of advanced age.

A set of measures to prevent stroke includes:

  • exclusion of bad habits: alcohol and smoking;
  • rational healthy nutrition, eating a large amount of vegetables and fruits;
  • blood pressure control: if necessary, taking medications that stabilize blood pressure;
  • maximum elimination of stressful situations, excitement;
  • control of blood sugar levels;
  • active lifestyle, exercise, being outdoors.

The degree of limitation of a person's capabilities after a stroke depends on the location of the brain damage. Following the link, we will analyze the consequences of an attack of a right-sided stroke.

Prevention of cerebral stroke

The main task of preventing cerebral stroke is to completely eliminate or reduce the adverse effects of risk factors. It is especially important to determine the degree of development of the disease in a specific situation.

To do this, the least that can be done is to undergo an examination, which includes:

  • regular measurement of blood pressure;
  • scanning the carotid artery with ultrasound;
  • general blood analysis;
  • analysis for cholesterol levels;
  • blood clotting test.

After going through all the procedures, you can trace the indicators that are directly precursors of stroke: high blood pressure (hypertension), increased blood clotting (blood clotting), arterial narrowing of cerebral vessels (stenosis), heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmia), transient ischemic attacks. In cases of violation of any indicators, the doctor consults and prescribes treatment.

For prophylactic purposes of preventing cerebral stroke, it is very important to consume sufficient liquid: at least one and a half to two liters of pure water daily. Teas, drinks, juices are not taken into account: they do not saturate the body with fluid.

Purified water is more useful. Running tap water and boiled water are pretty hard to digest.

With a regular daily intake of water (a glass of water every two hours), the pressure becomes stably normal, the water balance in the body is normalized, and the correct metabolism is stabilized.

Medicines

Let's look at how drugs can help prevent stroke. Many medications can be prescribed to prevent stroke. There are also some that are sold in pharmacies only with a prescription.

Pharmaceutical prophylaxis should not be carried out unilaterally: in parallel, it is necessary to carry out other preventive measures.

Medicines can help:

  • normalize cholesterol levels;
  • regulate sugar levels;
  • stabilize blood pressure;
  • improve blood clotting functions.

Controlling cholesterol levels

Cholesterol levels in the body can be stabilized, optionally by medication. It is more important to resort to daily physical exercise, control nutrition, and quit smoking. Such methods are useful, but the result may not be positive immediately, so they resort to lipid-lowering drugs, such as:

  • Statins. They are a blocker of the enzyme that ensures the formation of cholesterol. These include Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Atorvastatin.
  • Antioxidants They are a blocker of the oxidation of atherogenic lipoproteins. The value of good cholesterol increases. For example, the drug Probucol.
  • Fibrates. Such drugs can increase the level of good cholesterol. These include Gemfibrate, Fenofibrate, Ufibrat.
  • Bile acid sequestrants. They block the absorption of bile acids in the gastrointestinal tract. Reduce cholesterol. These include Colestipol, Cholestyramine.
  • Fish fat. Improves the microrheological functions of the blood.
  • A nicotinic acid. It is able to reduce the amount of triglycerides.

Blood sugar control

Medicines are prescribed for diabetic patients to regulate plasma sugar levels.

This disease can provoke the occurrence of a stroke, so patients should take daily:

  • sugar-reducing drugs (Metformin, Maninil);
  • insulin;
  • antiarrhythmic drugs are recommended for cardiac pathology (Allapinin, Novocainamide);
  • antianginal agents are used in the treatment or prevention of angina pectoris (Sustak, Nitrong).

Blood pressure control

Blood pressure is one of the main causes of cerebral stroke. The value of pressure can be controlled with medications, which will also help to avoid hypertensive crises. These include:

  • Diuretic drugs. They rid the body of excess water and salts: Indapamide, Torasemide, Furosemide.
  • ACE inhibitors. They block substances that can constrict blood vessels: Enalapril, Perindopril, Captopril.
  • Beta blockers. They reduce the strength and number of heart contractions, thereby lowering blood pressure: Nebivolol, Atenolol, Bisoprolol.
  • Calcium channel blockers. They inhibit the absorption of calcium ions into the vessels and muscles of the heart, stimulating vascular expansion. These drugs include Lercanidipine, Nifedipine.
  • Sartans. They help to stabilize heart failure, and also slow down the development of renal failure: Valsartan, Irbesartan, Losartan.
  • Alpha blockers. They are able to quickly reduce blood pressure by vasodilation: Prazosin, Clonidine.

Blood clotting control

All patients with atherosclerosis need to control blood clotting. Medicines resist the development and formation of blood clots in blood vessels.

Treatment is carried out with drugs:

  • Acetylsalicylic acid.
  • Clopidogrel.
  • Indirect anticoagulants. Such drugs are used for artificial valves, the presence of atrial fibrillation. These include Sinkumar, Apixaban.

Medicines prescribed by a doctor, especially for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, should be used daily. You cannot change the dosage yourself and skip taking medications.

If you carry out regular examinations, follow the doctor's recommendations and strictly follow the medication regimen, the likelihood of a cerebral stroke will significantly decrease.

The use of folk remedies

Folk remedies, like medications, can prevent the development of a cerebral stroke. The composition of the recipes can include various plants, herbs, fruits, seasonings that can maintain a healthy state of the body.

  • Pine cones. Five cones are plucked in the summer, cut and poured with one glass of medical alcohol. 2 weeks insist. Take one teaspoon after a meal in the morning. The course is 2 weeks. Repetition of the course - every six months.
  • Monastic tea. 10 g of elecampane root and half a glass of rose hips are poured with five liters of water and boiled for 3 hours. Add 1 g of rosehip roots and black tea, 20 g each of St. John's wort and oregano and simmer for an hour. This drink is taken regularly.

Before using folk remedies for the prevention of stroke, you should definitely consult your doctor about the advisability of taking these funds.

All activities aimed at reducing the threat of cerebral stroke: diet, medication, lifestyle, should be monitored daily and be part of our life. The habits that are developed in this way can not only get rid of this dangerous disease, but also contribute to a long life.

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Recently, the statistics of deaths from stroke is terrifying with a tendency to growth and "rejuvenation". Cerebrovascular accident is on the 4th position among the causes of death in the male part of the population. Half a century ago, a stroke was considered a disease of the elderly, and now 40-year-old and even 30-year-old young people suffer from vascular diseases. How to prevent stroke in men? The main thing to remember is that stroke is not an independent phenomenon. This is an acute complication of the underlying disease. Therefore, in order to avoid a stroke, it is necessary to prevent and treat the underlying disease.

The outcome of a stroke can be very dire. More than 60% of stroke survivors die within a year. But even if the patient survives, the risk of being immobilized is high. But you shouldn't despair. 80 out of 100 cases of the disease are preventable. It is enough to more carefully monitor your health and make some changes in your lifestyle.

The main causes of strokes

Stroke triggering factors

It has been proven that men suffer from strokes 10-15% more often than women. There are several risk factors for cerebrovascular infarction:

Another important factor that increases the likelihood of strokes is a tendency to hypertension - high blood pressure, complications due to chronic diseases.

Recently, scientists have found that the risk of developing a stroke directly depends on the blood type.

Most often, diseases associated with pressure drops occur in people with the 2 "+" group. Representatives of group 1 often have adrenal dysfunction and the risk of blood clots. To identify a predisposition and prevent a stroke, it is necessary to regularly undergo medical examinations and take blood tests. For example, it helps to timely identify high blood sugar and the risk of a disease such as diabetes, which often causes cerebrovascular infarction.

How to avoid a stroke

Specialist advice on stroke prevention converges on many aspects. Stroke prevention is about adhering to the basic principles of a healthy lifestyle. You should carefully monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, quit smoking, reduce salt intake, switch to a healthy diet, increase the amount of vegetables and fruits and minimize the consumption of animal fats and sugar.

Regular exercise and moderate physical activity (walking, walking, cycling) prevent the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including brain damage. The risks of premature death with regular exercise are reduced by about 30%. Men with any chronic diseases need a mandatory consultation with their attending physician on issues related to the nature and intensity of exercise. You should spend at least 4 hours a week outdoors in the open air, this reduces the risk of stroke by 20%.

Measures to prevent cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus are also ways to prevent stroke. It is necessary to regularly visit a specialized specialist in order to control risk factors. Taking medications should be carried out strictly in accordance with the doses prescribed by the doctor.

The role of stress in increasing the risk of stroke has been proven. You need to learn to avoid conflict situations, to form a positive outlook on life. If it is impossible to cope with psychological problems on your own, you need to seek help from specialists.

Medicinal stroke prevention and folk recipes

There are several effective measures for the prevention of cerebral vascular infarction. But in any case, before using them, you need to consult a doctor.

  1. Acetylsalicylic acid plays a leading role in the drug prevention of cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, stroke). The recommended doses are prescribed by the doctor in the absence of contraindications (for example, from the gastrointestinal tract) and, on average, according to the EUSI recommendations, are 50 mg.
  2. Vitamins of the B6 and K group, potassium, iodine, phosphorus and iron are involved in the processes of hematopoiesis and help prevent cardiovascular attacks in the early stages.
  3. Calcium antagonists, sedatives, myotropic antihypertensives and diuretics also play a significant role in the prevention of stroke.

Non-medicinal forms of prevention include the use of citrus fruits, ground with honey, apple decoction from Antonovka, infusions on needles, medicinal herbal teas, herbal compresses. Studies have shown that three cups of tea a day significantly reduce the risk of stroke.