What is STARS?
National Stroke Association developed the STARS (Steps Against Recurrent Stroke) program. STARS is a program that focuses on educating and empowering stroke survivors about how -- with a doctor’s help and advice -- to reduce risk for a recurrent stroke by making lifestyle modifications and managing medical conditions that increase stroke risk.
Tips for managing recurrent stroke risk...
•Stop smoking — it doubles risk for another stroke.
•Manage high blood pressure, the most important risk factor for stroke. People who have high blood pressure have more than half the lifetime risk of having stroke compared to those who consistently have optimal blood pressure reading of 120/80.
•Manage high cholesterol — cholesterol or plaque build-up in the arteries can block normal blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke and increase risk of heart disease. •Keep diabetes under control — people with diabetes are up to 4 times as likely to have a stroke as someone who does not have the disease.
•Manage atrial fibrillation (AF), a type of irregular heartbeat. AF increases your stroke risk 5 times, so it’s important to work with a doctor to control it.
•Eat a healthy diet — maintaining a diet low in calories, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol helps manage both obesity and healthy cholesterol levels in the blood, which also reduces risk for stroke.
•Increase physical activity — it reduces stroke risk. A recent study showed that people who exercise five or more times per week are less likely to have another stroke. *** I need to do this... I walk everyday at work, but that's about it!
•Control alcohol use — some studies say that drinking more than 2 drinks per day may increase stroke risk by 50 percent. Other studies have indicated that one alcoholic beverage a day may lower a person’s risk for stroke, provided that there is no other medical reason for avoiding alcohol. *** I drink red wine every so often!
I like that I found the STARS program... I want to stay healthy!!!!
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