Well Women Care
Reducing Your Risk of Stroke
May is National Stroke Prevention Month and a good time to take steps to reduce your risk of stroke. According to the National Stroke Association, up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by taking certain steps to improve your health. Strokes can happen to anyone–regardless of age–so it is never too soon to consider how to lower your risk factors. However, 55,000 more women than men have strokes each year. This is partly because women tend to live longer than men, and the risk of a stroke increases with age. It is also due to certain risk factors that some women may have. You can reduce your risk for stroke by taking the steps listed further down, AND by being aware of any factors that might put you more at risk. Some common ones are:
- If you took birth control pills. The greatest concern about using oral contraceptives is for women with additional risk factors, such as age, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes.
- If you are pregnant. Stroke risk increases during a normal pregnancy due to natural changes in the body such as increased blood pressure and stress on the heart. Your doctor can advise you as to how to reduce your risk.
- If you use/used Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), a combined hormone therapy of progestin and estrogen, to relieve menopausal symptoms.
- If you suffer from migraine headaches with aura. Migraines can increase a woman’s stroke risk two and a half times and most people in the U.S. who suffer migraines are women.
Below are other ways to prevent stroke, as recommended by the National Stroke Association.
1) Maintain a healthy blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major stroke risk factor if left untreated. Have your blood pressure checked yearly–more often if you are older or have other risk factors–by a physician. If your blood pressure is high, follow your healthcare provider’s guidelines to get it back to acceptable levels.
2) Identify Atrial Fibrillation (Afib). Afib is an abnormal heartbeat which can cause blood to pool in the heart. This can lead to a blood clot and cause a stroke. People with untreated Afib have a 50 percent higher risk of stroke. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat Afib, so make sure you have an annual physical.
3) Stop smoking. Smoking doubles the risk of stroke. Smoking attacks the body’s circulatory system in multiple ways. It damages blood vessel walls, accelerates artery clogging, raises blood pressure, and makes the heart work harder. By quitting smoking, you are able to improve your body’s overall circulatory function and take a huge step toward better health. Your doctor can advise you on a variety of programs and tools that can help you quit.
4) Modify Alcohol Use. Many studies have linked alcohol use to stroke. Most doctors recommend drinking in moderation–not more than two drinks per day; if you have other risk factors, the safe amount of alcohol for you may be lower.
5) Know Your Cholesterol Levels. Cholesterol is a fatty substance generated by your body and found in your blood. It is also found in certain food items. High cholesterol levels can clog your arteries and cause a stroke. A simple blood test can determine your cholesterol levels; if they are high or borderline high, your doctor can prescribe ways to reduce your cholesterol.
6) Control Your Diabetes. If you are diabetic, you may be at greater risk for stroke. Thus, it is important that you manage your diabetes according to your doctor’s recommendations.
7) Exercise & Eat Healthy: Excess weight is a strain on your body overall, including your circulatory system. To maintain a healthy weight and fitness level, exercise five times per week. Eating right is also key; strive to maintain a diet low in calories, salt, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol. Eating five servings a day of fruit and vegetables is a good step in the right direction.
8) Treat Circulation Problems. If you already suffer from circulatory problems, do not let them go untreated. Consult with your doctor to make sure that everything is being done to promote the best circulatory health. Fatty deposits can block arteries that carry blood to the brain, thus causing a stroke.
9) Understand Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs). A TIA is a temporary episode of stroke-like symptoms. It can last a few minutes to 24 hours but usually causes no permanent damage or disability. However, up to 40 percent of people who have TIAs later have a stroke. Therefore, it is important to know the symptoms of TIAS–and strokes–so that they can be treated and stroke risk can be reduced.
What Are TIA or Stroke Symptoms? (The symptoms for both are the same.) Someone having a stroke or TIA may have one or several of these symptoms.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
If you have any of these symptoms, or observe them in someone else, call 911, or have someone take you to the hospital immediately. Treatment is most helpful if given quickly. Strokes strike FAST and you should too!
For more about TIA treatment, and stroke treatment and prevention, visit www.stroke.org.
For more information about Partners for Women’s Health, call (603) 778-0557.
Obstetrical Tips
10 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
Being pregnant is a wonderful yet challenging time as a woman’s body undergoes so many changes. First-time pregnancies can especially raise many questions. Your doctor or midwife is there to guide you through this time, and provide the answers you need. In the meantime, the following guidelines, compiled by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, provide a helpful checklist. These tips can help you feel well during your pregnancy, and help ensure a healthy baby.
1) Eat five or six well-balanced, healthy meals each day.
2) Take a prenatal vitamin each day, as prescribed by your obstetrician or midwife.
3) Drink plenty of fluids–at least eight to 10 glasses a day–but avoid caffeine or items with artificial coloring.
4) Do not drink alcohol.
5) Do not smoke or allow yourself to be exposed to secondhand smoke.
6) Exercise–it is important for your general health and can also help reduce stress. There are exercise classes specifically designed for pregnant women; other good options include walking, swimming, and certain types of yoga. It is important not to get overheated; if walking for example, walk in the cool part of the day, at a moderate pace, and on level ground. Just 15 to 20 minutes of daily exercise is helpful.
7) Get adequate sleep. At least eight hours a night are recommended. If you are suffering from sleep disturbances, take naps during the day or seek advice from your healthcare provider.
8) Wear comfortable, nonrestricting shoes and put your feet up several times a day to help prevent fatigue and swelling of the feet, legs and ankles.
9) Wear your seat belt while riding in motor vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the shoulder portion of the restraint should be positioned over your collar bone. The lap portion should be placed under the abdomen–as low as possible on the hips and across the upper thighs, and never above the abdomen. Pregnant women should sit as far from the airbag as possible.
10) Do not take over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies without first consulting with your healthcare provider.
For more information about Partners for Women’s Health, call (603) 778-0557.