Page 40 - Robeson Living Summer 2020

Reduce Your Risk of Another Heart

Attack or Stroke

COVID-19 pandemic highlights importance of maintaining healthy routines

(Family Features) After a heart attack or stroke, as many as 1 Up to 80% of second clot-related strokes and heart attacks may
in 4 survivors will have another one. However, lifestyle chang- be prevented by making healthy choices. Consider these tips
es and working closely with your doctor to manage your health from the American Stroke Association’s secondary heart attack
may minimize the risk of a repeat event. Sticking to secondary and stroke prevention initiative, sponsored nationally by Bayer.
prevention routines – by eating healthy, being active and tak-
ing medications as prescribed – is important as cases of CO- Blood Pressure: Work with your doctor to ensure you’re
VID-19 increase. maintaining a healthy blood pressure level below 130/80. High
blood pressure is both a leading cause and major risk factor for
“A heart attack or stroke is a very scary experience, and people stroke and heart attack.
try to avoid revisiting that difficult time,” said neurologist Lee
Schwamm, MD, chair of the American Stroke Association and Cholesterol: Medication and healthy lifestyle habits can help
professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School “Unfortu- keep high cholesterol in check.
nately, the risk of a repeat stroke is high, and lifestyle changes
to reduce a person’s risk are almost always necessary to reduce Blood Sugar: Having diabetes, which is caused by high blood
those odds.” sugar, more than doubles your risk of stroke. Some people have
diabetes and don’t know it until a medical emergency happens.

Page 40 Robeson Living ~ Summer 2020