#DidYouKnow?
Contracting COVID-19 can increase the risk of a stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). A stroke occurs when an artery is blocked by a clot or ruptures.
You can reduce the risk of experiencing a stroke by making healthy lifestyle changes. These are the most important measures you can take to reduce the risk of having a stroke:
– Maintain your blood pressure within normal levels
– Quit smoking, if you smoke
– Keep blood sugar (glucose) levels within normal values
– Seek treatment if you have heart disease
– Maintain your cholesterol within normal levels
– Maintain a healthy weight
– Be physically active
– Have a healthy diet
Making these healthy changes will also help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
You may also be at risk of experiencing a stroke if you:
– Have had a stroke in the past or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke.
– Smoke or use nicotine-containing vaporizers.
– Consume alcohol excessively.
– Use certain drugs like cocaine or heroin.
– Have diabetes.
– Don’t engage in sufficient physical activity.
– Have overweight or obesity.
– Have certain heart problems, such as coronary artery disease (heart disease), irregular heart rhythm (including atrial fibrillation), or issues with a heart valve.
– Have high cholesterol.
A transient ischemic attack occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked, usually for a few minutes or hours. After having a transient ischemic attack, you have a higher risk of experiencing a more extensive stroke.
Never ignore a transient ischemic attack.
More information and resources:
https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-
and-disease-z/when-it-comes-stroke-love-means
-making-call
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about.htm
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/stroke
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions
/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113
