Important Updates on Stroke Prevention: New Guidelines to Lower Your Risk

The American Stroke Association (ASA) has updated its guidelines for stroke prevention, emphasizing the importance of lowering blood pressure and adopting healthier lifestyles to reduce the risk of a first stroke. With over half a million people experiencing their first stroke each year in the United States, these new guidelines aim to prevent strokes through screening and lifestyle changes.

The revised guidelines highlight the importance of regular screening for stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. They recommend following the ASA’s Life’s Essential 8 cardiovascular metrics, including eating a nutritious diet, staying physically active, getting healthy sleep, and more. Additionally, the guidelines advocate for the Mediterranean diet and consider GLP-1 drugs for patients with diabetes and heart disease as potential stroke prevention measures.

Specific recommendations for preventing strokes in women have also been included in the updated guidelines. Women are advised to be screened for risk factors like oral contraceptive use, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and other pregnancy-related complications. The guidelines also address transgender women and gender-diverse individuals taking estrogen for gender affirmation, recommending healthy lifestyle practices to mitigate stroke risk.

Racial disparities in stroke risk, particularly among Black women, are also highlighted in the guidelines. It’s important to address risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes to reduce the prevalence of stroke in these populations.

In terms of reducing stroke risk, the guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, highlighting the importance of movement for cardiovascular health. Following the new guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of having a first stroke and may also help prevent dementia.

Overall, the new stroke prevention guidelines stress the importance of regular screening, healthy lifestyle changes, and personalized prevention strategies in reducing the risk of stroke. Discussing these strategies with your doctor is essential for maintaining brain health and overall well-being.