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According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is the number one killer of Americans.  These “brain attacks” occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted (an ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts (a hemorrhagic stroke).  800,000 people annually are affected by stroke, and for an alarming 144,000 people, the result is death.

There are both controllable and uncontrollable factors that can lead to stroke, such as genetics, age and race.  However, research has recently discovered more of these risk factors, from your diet to where you live.

Being a Southerner

Also called the ‘Stroke Belt’, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama show larger number of stroke incidences.  A study published in the journal Neurology in 2009 reported that among blacks, being born in the Stroke Belt increased the risk of stroke by 22 percent. For whites, the number was 30 percent. Part of the reason may be due to risk factors like poor diet, smoking and obesity, which may start earlier in southern states.

Diet High in Fat

Researchers from the University of North Carolina found that post menopausal women who consumed high fat diets had 40 percent more incidences of ischemic stroke than low fat eaters. Trans fats, found in processed foods increased risk dramatically. The group of women who consumed seven grams of trans fat each day had 30 percent more stroke incidents than those who ate one gram.

Being Single

A Tel Aviv University study of more than 10,000 Israeli men found that those who were married at midlife were 64 percent less likely to die of a stroke during the next 34 years than single men. The data was adjusted for other stroke risk factors like socioeconomic status, blood pressure and smoking.

Positive Attitude

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston reported in 2001 that among older individuals, positive moods and attitudes protected against strokes. Even incremental increases in happiness helped: For every step up on the researchers’ happiness scale, male participants’ stroke risk dropped 41 percent. Women’s risk dropped 18 percent per happiness unit.

Obesity

According to researchers from the University of Minnesota the more you weigh, the more likely you will have a stroke.  The relationship between weight and stroke is that your health is in jeopardy.  Obesity is linked with high blood pressure and diabetes, risk factors that increase your chance of stroke.

Smoking

According to the American Heart Association, smoking doubles your risk of stroke. Fortunately, quitting can drop that risk back down, even for heavy smokers. One 1988 study found that former smokers had the same rate of stroke as nonsmokers five years after quitting.

Demographics

Blacks have twice the incidence of strokes as whites, according to the American Heart Association.  Blacks have increased rates of diabetes and high blood pressure which could be a factor.

In addition, researchers at the University of Southern California reported that women aged 35 to 64 are almost three times as likely to have a stroke as men of the same age. The reason may be that women in midlife carry more abdominal fat than men, which is another risk factor for stroke.

SOURCE:  http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20100316/sc_livescience/7waystoraiseyourriskofstroke

Reason to celebrate!  February is American Heart Month!  This initiative was created to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, which is the number one killer of people in the United States.

The easiest way to prevent heart disease is through diet, and given that, we have highlighted five heart healthy foods that could potentially save your life.

Garlic.  Numerous studies have shown that regular garlic consumption benefits blood pressure, platelet aggregation, serum triglyceride level, and cholesterol levels.   In addition, by using garlic instead of salt to flavor foods you can reduce your amount of sodium intake, which will also keep your heart healthy.

Salmon.  This fish can help lower your risk of heart disease thanks to heart healthy fats.  Omega-3s can prevent erratic heart rhythms, reduce likelihood of blood clots inside arteries, improve the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, and prevent cholesterol from becoming damaged, at which point it clogs arteries.  Don’t like fish?  No problem!  Even though consuming salmon is your best bet to get the heart healthy omega-3s, supplement your diet with fish oil capsules and you can also reduce your risk of heart disease.

Berries.  Berries are high in polyphenols, which prevent cell damage that creates unhealthy blood vessels and heart.  Berries also contain heart healthy antioxidants.  If you are having a hard time finding berries in the winter, experiment with frozen varieties.  Thaw a bag of frozen berries in the refrigerator and use in smoothies and your morning oatmeal.

Quinoa.  This tiny miracle seed is an excellent source of magnesium, the mineral responsible for relaxing blood vessels. If you are one of the millions of people in the United States with low dietary levels of magnesium, you may be at an increased risk of hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart arrhythmias.  Adding versatile quinoa to your diet can help protect your heart!

Hot Chocolate.  Surprised?  Hot chocolate is full of antioxidants!  It contains two times more antioxidants than red wine and three times more than green tea, which are also considered heart healthy foods.  To gain maximum benefit, avoid the sugary hot chocolate mixes and use 100% cocoa and a teaspoon of sugar.  In addition, recent studies have found that by eating a small piece of dark chocolate each day may also decrease your risk of heart disease, just note, the higher the cocoa percentages, the better for your heart!

SOURCE:  http://shine.yahoo.com/event/hearthealth/5-foods-to-prevent-heart-disease-577077/

Good news – just in time for Valentine’s Day.

A new study released in this week’s issue of Neurology Magazine, found that eating about a bar of chocolate each week can help cut your risk of stroke and also lower the risk of death after suffering a stroke.

Neurologist Gustavo Saposnik at St. Michael’s Hospital at the University of Toronto is the author of the study that looked at 44,489 people who ate one serving of chocolate per week and found that they were 22% less likely to have a stroke than people who ate no chocolate.

Another study found that 1,169 people who had 50 grams of chocolate once a week were 46% less likely to die following a stroke than people who did not eat chocolate.

Saposnik is quick to tell us that additional studies need to be performed to address the various factors involved in the study.  The amount and type of chocolate, in addition to the different percentages of cocoa used also need to be studied to see if a maximum benefit can be reached.  Future studies will also monitor age and gender factors.

Previous studies have found that flavonoids, a chemical found in cocoa carries high amounts of anti inflammatory and anti cancer properties.  Flavonoids, and their super powers may soon take credit for preventing strokes as well.

SOURCE:  USA Today, Friday, February 12, 6B

The American Heart Association tells us that the two biggest threats to our longevity are heart disease and stroke.  Dr. Clyde Yancy, President of the American Heart Association and Medical Director of the Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute in Dallas, tells us that research shows that we can control our fate by following these 7 simple guidelines.

• Body mass index less than 25 as obesity is the strongest link to heart disease.

• Have never smoked or quit more than one year ago.

• Each week make sure you get at least 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise.

• Keep your total cholesterol of less than 200.

• Keep your blood pressure below 120/80.

• Fasting blood glucose less than 100.

• Meet at least four of these dietary recommendations:

     4 1/2 cups of fruit and vegetables a day

     Two or more 3.5-ounce servings a week of fish

     Drink no more than 36 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages a week

     Three or more 1-ounce servings of fiber-rich whole grains a day

     Less than 1,500 milligrams a day of salt

Dr. Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, a cardiologist and also chair of the preventive medicine department at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine stated that “These seven factors, if you can control them, will end up being the fountain of youth for your heart.  You will live healthier longer, you will have much better quality of life, require less medication and less medical care.”

SOURCE:  http://health.yahoo.com/news/ap/us_heart_health.html

Winter brings us holidays, fattening foods, financial stress and the flu bug.  But did you know that winter also brings an increased risk of heart attack?

Here’s the science behind the fact. Your heart has to work extra hard during the winter months.  Cold, dry air causes blood vessels to constrict as the body tries to prevent heat loss, said Dr. Holly Andersen, director of education and outreach at the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute of New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Cornell Medical Center. 

Blood vessel constriction is the natural way that your body copes with cold weather, but when combined with a pre existing heart condition or strenuous exercise the constricted blood vessels could be fatal. The narrowing of the blood vessels raises blood pressure and can reduce oxygen flow to the heart.

To protect yourself, pay attention to the symptoms of a heart attack.  According to the American Heart Association the symptoms of a heart attack include pain, discomfort or a squeezing sensation in the chest.  You may also feel pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, nausea or a cold sweat.  Women may also experience these painful symptoms, but they are more likely than men to experience shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting.

To lessen your risk heart attack, Anderson has these suggestions for the winter months:

If you’re over the age of 50 and have certain risk factors such as obesity, sedentary, smoking or have had a heart attack in the past, consult a doctor before exercise, including shoveling snow.

Stretch or walk before you begin an exercise.  This will slowly increase oxygen to your heart and not overexert it.

Dress warm. Wear windproof and waterproof outer garments, use many layers, and place a scarf over your mouth and nose to warm up cold air before you breathe it in.  Bundling up will help maintain your body heat so your heart doesn’t have to work extra hard to keep your body warm.

To avoid overexertion, try pushing snow with the shovel rather than lifting it. Also, take frequent breaks while shoveling.

If you’re over the age of 50 and have certain risk factors such as obesity, sedentary, smoking or have had a heart attack in the past, consult a doctor before exercise, including shoveling snow.

SOURCE:  http://news.health.com/2009/12/30/heart-attacks-more-common-winter/