Stroke fourth leading cause of death in Nebraska

Thursday marks World Stroke Day and the American Stroke Association is offering five tips to help Nebraska residents to feel healthier and avoid one of the most common causes of disability and death.  

The Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association, which is the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke,

Stroke is often thought of as something that happens to older people, but more people under 50 are having strokes, due to increased risky behaviors, such as smoking and untreated high blood pressure.

Strokes don’t discriminate. In Nebraska, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death. The good news? Up to 80 percent of first strokes may be prevented.  

“Healthy habits can protect and improve brain function and lower your stroke risk,” says Beth Malina, BSN, RN, CNRN and Director of Quality and System Improvement for the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. 

“While many adults don’t think they are at risk for stroke or reduced brain function, the reality is that nearly half of all adults in America have high blood pressure,” she said.“Untreated high blood pressure is one of the most common causes of stroke and also causes up to 60 percent of dementia.”

Tips to prevent strokes

Here are five tips to reduce the risk of stroke and maintain mental sharpness as a person ages:

•Keep blood pressure under control—get blood pressure into a healthy range (under 130/80). High blood pressure is the number one controllable risk factor for stroke. 

•Eat colorful fruits and veggies—eating lots of fruits and vegetables has been shown to lower blood pressure, which can help reduce the risk of stroke. 

•Rest up.—getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night can improve brain function both today and long-term. 

Make it happen with a soothing bedtime routine and avoid screen time before bed. Sleep-related breathing issues may also increase stroke risk.

•Meditate—emerging science shows that practicing mindfulness and being aware of one’s breathing may significantly reduce blood pressure and may improve blood flow to the brain. 

•Take a walk—for clear health benefits, adults should get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination of those activities). In addition, two days per week of moderate-to-high intensity muscle strengthening activity is recommended. 

Recognize warning signs

Most strokes are largely treatable. Recognize the warning signs and call 911 immediately. This can make the difference between a strong recovery and disability or even death.

It’s easy to remember the most common stroke warning signs—F.A.S.T. 

•Face—facial drooping or facial numbness. Ask them to smile. Is their smile uneven? 

•Arm—arm weakness or numbness. Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward? 

•Speech—slurred speech. Are they unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”  

•Time—call 911 and get to a hospital immediately if someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away. Note the time when the first symptoms appeared.

Stroke is a medical emergency. For the best chance of recovery, call 911 for help.