-1727870775619.webp)
- By Iram Hussain
- Wed, 02 Oct 2024 05:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Stroke affects up to one in four people during their lifetime in some high-income countries and up to almost one in two in low-income countries. Globally, it is the second leading cause of death. Incidence is rising. What is more worrisome is that it is affecting younger people in our country. Major modifiable contributors to higher stroke incidence are hypertension, obesity, diabetes, smoking, alcohol and a sedentary lifestyle coupled with a poor diet rich in salt, fat and carbohydrates. For stroke survivors, the effects can be devastating, families shattered, lives changed forever, and yet, stroke remains a silent epidemic.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Rajiv Anand, Principal Director, Neurology, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi explained how obesity and high blood pressure contribute to stroke.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure affects about half of people in the world and often has no noticeable symptoms. Left untreated, it damages blood vessels and can lead to a number of serious diseases including stroke. Elevated blood pressure is above 120/80. Consistently elevated blood pressure makes your circulatory system your heart, arteries and blood vessels work harder at their job of moving blood around your body. This extra work causes atherosclerosis and increases the risk of blockages in the blood vessels in your brain. Atherosclerosis can also increase the pressure of blood flowing through blood vessels in the brain causing them to burst and bleed.
Obesity
The degree of obesity, defined by body mass index, waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio is a significant risk factor for ischemic stroke regardless of sex or race. Obesity can increase the risk of stroke due to inflammation caused by excess fatty tissue, difficulty in blood flow and an increased risk of blockage. Obese individuals have a greater chance of suffering from sleep apnea resulting in a greater risk of high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms and stroke. Thus, obese individuals have a greater chance of suffering from sleep apnea resulting in a greater risk of high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms and stroke.
Preventive Strategies
Talking about its prevention, the doctor listed several strategies that can be carried out for its prevention like weight loss and healthy lifestyle modifications. Weight loss can minimise the risk of stroke. By maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), one can reduce the risk of stroke. Healthy lifestyle modifications like eating a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, eating sensible portions and being physically active on a regular basis can decrease stroke risk in adults and children.