Modern methods and approaches to prevent cerebral stroke. How to prevent a stroke

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Stroke means an acute disorder of cerebral circulation. It can occur as a result of deterioration of blood flow in the vessels or rupture of the wall of the blood channel. Features of life place the majority of modern people at risk, so prevention of primary stroke is indicated for all people without exception. The approach is based on simple and accessible activities. They can not only minimize the risk of developing an emergency condition, but also have a general beneficial effect on the body.

The principles of primary and secondary stroke prevention are largely similar. Their use in practice makes it possible to reduce the likelihood of a problem by 80-85%.

How to prevent a stroke

Brain catastrophe is one of the most dangerous conditions that can lead to death or disability of a person.

In most cases, to avoid a stroke, it is enough to adjust your usual regimen and adopt a number of simple recommendations from doctors. This is especially true for people with excess weight, hypertension and other chronic diseases, and intellectual workers.

A big mistake is made by those who believe that it is necessary only in old age. In recent years, pathology has become noticeably younger. It is no longer rare in men 35-40 years old and women of reproductive age. Under the influence of negative factors, a stroke can occur at a very young age.

Prevention of heart attack and stroke is:

primary – a list of measures aimed at eliminating irritants and moments that provoke stroke;
secondary – manipulations and rules that should prevent a relapse of brain catastrophe;
tertiary – actions through which the restoration of people affected by cerebrovascular accident is carried out.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases is based on the same principles as in the case of stroke. This is explained by the same mechanisms for the development of impaired blood supply to the brain and heart muscle. In both cases, the main goal is to increase the functionality of blood channels and fight disease provocateurs.

Primary prevention of stroke

Environmental pollution, being in a state of chronic stress, eating junk food due to the inability to eat in peace are issues that most modern people face. All of them lead to a decrease in the functionality of blood vessels, which affects the blood supply to the brain. Over time, the age factor adds to this, and the situation is aggravated by hormonal changes in the body.

Primary stroke prevention is aimed at minimizing the adverse effects of these factors. It must be comprehensive and constant, then you can count on the desired effect.

Blood pressure control

turns out to be the result of increased blood pressure in 99% of cases. The risk group includes those whose indicator data exceeds 140 per 90 mmHg. Art. Arterial hypertension affects the elderly, people with excess body weight, representatives of responsible positions and intellectual professions. Pathological can provoke systematic hypothermia of the body. Unregulated physical activity poses a danger. If at least one of the listed points affects the body, it is recommended to purchase a tonometer and monitor blood pressure readings. If hypertension is detected, you should consult a physician for advice.

Prevention of thrombosis

Ischemic stroke often occurs due to the formation of blood clots in the vessels and blockage these substances of the lumens of the canals. Such structures appear as a result of a violation of the blood clotting process, an increase in its density, and the tendency of platelets to stick together. Prevention of thrombosis involves the use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. Taking such drugs is indicated for people with a history of thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, poor blood test results, and any types of surgery. It is forbidden to use medications independently, without a doctor’s prescription! Otherwise, in an attempt to avoid the formation of blood clots, other complications can be provoked.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

The risk of stroke increases sharply in people with high blood cholesterol and arrhythmia.

In the first case, due to the adhesion of cholesterol plaques to the walls of blood channels, a person may develop cerebral atherosclerosis. Their lumens will narrow significantly, as a result of which blood flow will be disrupted, and the medulla will begin to experience oxygen deficiency and nutrients. With arrhythmia, the likelihood of blood clots being removed from the cavity of the heart into the vessels increases, which is also fraught with ischemic stroke. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases must be dealt with comprehensively, under the guidance of a cardiologist.

Preventive examinations

Every person should visit a local physician at least once a year and undergo general tests. This will allow you to assess the condition of the body, identify problem areas, and begin timely treatment of hidden or chronic diseases. After 50-55 years, the frequency of visits to specialists is recommended to be doubled.

Stroke prevention under the guidance of a physician includes the following:

checking cholesterol and blood sugar levels;
or ;
blood pressure measurement;
assessment of blood thickness and rate of clotting;
comparison of a person’s weight with his optimal weight, selection of measures to normalize indicators;
assessment of the visitor’s psycho-emotional state, selection of antidepressants or sedatives according to indications.

Additionally, you may need to visit a physiotherapy office or a physical therapy doctor. Taken together, all measures help reduce the load on the heart, strengthen vascular walls, and normalize blood flow and blood pressure. Based on the results of examinations, the doctor sometimes recommends drug prevention of stroke.

How to avoid another stroke

After a stroke, victims have to completely change their lifestyle. If this is not done, the likelihood of a relapse of the condition will be almost 100%. Prevention of cerebral stroke in such a situation largely repeats the primary approach, but it is much stricter.

In some cases, it is additionally indicated to resort to medicinal approaches. Sometimes they use surgical methods. Prevention and treatment of pathology at this stage should be agreed with a doctor. Only strict adherence to the recommendations of a specialist will minimize the risk of a recurrent brain catastrophe, which in most cases ends in death.

Secondary prevention of stroke

Measures aimed at preventing recurrent stroke begin in the intensive care unit. A whole team of specialists works with the patient until he is brought out of critical condition. Further, responsibility for maintaining the achieved results rests with the patient himself and his loved ones.

Practice shows that comprehensive stroke prevention reduces the likelihood of developing pathology to almost zero. People at risk who follow these rules increase their chances of preventing a brain catastrophe by 70-80% compared to others. The main thing is to adhere to recommendations constantly, and not just when you receive bad results tests or the appearance of alarming symptoms.

Drawing conclusions

Strokes are the cause of almost 70% of all deaths in the world. Seven out of ten people die due to blocked arteries in the brain. And the very first and main sign of vascular blockage is a headache!

The problem of stroke remains the most pressing and unresolved health issue. The population is rapidly aging, the threat of risk factors for heart and vascular diseases is increasing, all this leads to an increase in the incidence of cerebral stroke, with serious consequences for the patient and society as a whole. Russia ranks second in the world in terms of mortality from this terrible disease; the number of cases in Russia is 5 times or more higher than in the USA, Switzerland and France. The consequences of cerebral stroke occupy 1st place among all causes of primary disability.

Stroke mortality rate is higher in women than in men

Before 65 years of age, the disease is more common in men; after 65 years of age, sexual balance is restored. The incidence increases with age.

But in terms of the absolute number of strokes in the world, women occupy the leading position, since the life expectancy of the female population is longer.

Within 1 month, half of the patients die from a cerebral stroke; in a longer period, the number of deaths does not exceed 15%. Among people under 40 years of age, 25% of women die after the first stroke, while 20% of men die. After 70 years of age, the mortality rate among women also exceeds that of men.

What is the problem with the female body?

Main problem female body- This hormonal changes which occurs during menopause. In postmenopause, the protective effect of estrogen on the cardiovascular system decreases. Due to the cessation of estrogen production by the ovaries, the harmonious functioning of many organs and systems of the female body is disrupted:

Abdominal obesity develops - fat accumulates in the abdominal area;

Women with abdominal obesity are at risk of diabetes, stroke and heart attack

harmful cholesterol accumulates in the blood, the level of healthy fats decreases - the risk of developing atherosclerosis increases;
carbohydrate metabolism is impaired, which predisposes to the development of diabetes mellitus, which is also a risk factor for cerebral stroke in women;
blood pressure increases;
the level of blood coagulation factors increases in the blood, which leads to its thickening and the formation of blood clots;
female sex hormones affect vascular tone and increase the level of vascular blood supply, therefore the absence of estrogens in postmenopause increases the risk of atherosclerosis.

Hypoestrogenism plays an important role in the development of stroke

Majority metabolic disorders, which occur during menopause, aggravate the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases, because female sex hormones are responsible for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. A gradual decrease in estrogen leads to obesity, accumulation of atherosclerotic fats in the blood, and insulin resistance.

You cannot change nature, and menopause will come sooner or later, so you need to adapt as much as possible to what you have: eliminate risk factors, treat disorders that occur in the postmenopausal period.

How to warn?

The causes of the disease are many factors, but it is clear that preventing cerebral stroke has a number of advantages over preventing its consequences. The medical direction of prevention has 2 large categories: primary and secondary prevention. Primary prevention is the prevention of the occurrence of a cerebral stroke for the first time in life. Secondary prevention is the identification and treatment of body conditions that affect the development of a relapse of a second case.

Prevention has 2 subsections, these are measures of mass prevention and preventive measures for women from the group high risk. Mass measures are aimed at preventing the disease in every person by increasing physical activity, diet, and lowering blood pressure. Interventions for high-risk women include drug treatment.

Primary prevention

The goal of primary prevention is to achieve a blood pressure level of 140 mm Hg. Art. and below, LDL cholesterol 3.36 mmol/L and below, glucose 6.1 mmol/L and below, waist circumference 88 cm and below.

Quitting cigarettes

Smoking significantly increases the risk of stroke

Relevance – in modern society there are sometimes more women smokers than smoking men. Tobacco smoke has more than 5,000 chemical compounds that increase the risk of atherosclerosis, increase the level of blood clotting, the amount of harmful fats in the blood, and lead to impaired blood supply to the brain. Quitting smoking for 2 years reduces the risk of stroke by a third; after 5 years of quitting smoking, the risk is almost the same as for a person who has never smoked, noticeable changes in biochemical analysis blood can be seen as early as 30 days after the last cigarette.

Quitting alcohol

Alcohol causes obesity, fatty liver, increases blood pressure, and disrupts fat metabolism. Moreover, these violations occur even when drinking moderate doses of alcohol - 60 g per day of pure alcohol is already a lot. After stopping the consumption of alcoholic beverages, fats return to normal quickly.

Alcohol causes stroke

Need to increase physical activity

Regular physical training helps prevent the development of cerebral stroke - weight is reduced, blood pressure, fat levels, and blood glucose are normalized. It is recommended to increase physical activity for all women who have at least one risk factor.

We recommend doing aerobics, walking, running, swimming, cycling, skiing. One workout should take 45 minutes or more, training frequency should be at least 3 times a week. The load for each person at risk is selected individually, taking into account physical capabilities.

Fight obesity

Against the background of large body weight, the level of harmful fats in the body increases. Particularly dangerous is obesity in the abdominal area, which is always associated with insulin deficiency.

One aspect of the fight against obesity is increasing physical activity

Reduce body weight to a BMI of 25 kg/m² or less, so that your waist circumference is 88 cm or less.
Achieve normal blood fat levels.
With elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, and the presence of two more risk factors, the use of statins is indicated - Simvastatin, Fluvastatin, Rosuvastatin. Statins should not be taken by women of childbearing potential who do not comply with contraceptive measures; women who want to get pregnant; During pregnancy, stop taking statins immediately.

Blood Sugar Control

You need to constantly monitor your blood sugar levels, follow a diet, and if you have diabetes, take glucose-lowering medications or insulin.

Nutrition

For health and youth, women of any age should eat fruits, vegetables - 400 g / day, fish (mackerel, tuna, sardines, herring), consume vegetable oils, dietary fiber - 30 g / day, choose lean varieties of meat, chicken without skin, it is recommended to replace meat with fish 2–4 times a week. You need to eat more potassium and grain products.

Must be present in the daily diet fresh fruits and vegetables

Reduced pressure

High blood pressure is a direct risk factor. Therefore, hypertension should be detected and treated as early as possible. Pressure readings should not exceed 140/85 mmHg. Art. Treatment can be started with one drug.

Heart diseases

A stroke that occurs against the background of atrial fibrillation or other heart diseases is characterized by poor recovery of lost functions and high mortality. To avoid a stroke, you need to prevent blood clots and treat rhythm disturbances.

Stroke is often a consequence of various heart diseases

Birth control pills

Taking contraceptives is contraindicated for women at risk; birth control pills worsen the condition of the body. In women who use estrogen replacement drugs for more than 5 years, the risk increases 3 times.

Fighting depression

Depression has many not so positive consequences, it has been proven that it is more significant factor risk than poor diet, low physical activity and alcoholism. But women suffer from depression 2 times more often than men. Therefore, comprehensive psychological treatment is recommended and the flow of negative information should be prevented.

Secondary prevention

It is important, since repeated cases of the disease increase the degree of existing neurological disorders and have a higher mortality rate. The list of measures to help avoid repeated cases of the disease depends on the causes and risk factors that led to the first case of the disease. Since the basis of all cerebral strokes is increased platelet aggregation, antiplatelet treatment is the basis. Antiplatelet drugs - Aspirin, Cardiomagnyl, Clopidogrel, Dipyridamole.

If it is necessary to restore blood flow, thrombolytics are prescribed, and surgical restoration of vascular patency is performed. For long-term fluctuations in blood pressure, medications are prescribed that improve brain microcirculation.

In conclusion, I would like to say that there is no medicine or procedure that will help avoid the first cerebral stroke or prevent the development of a second one - only drug prevention in combination with diet and normalization of a healthy lifestyle will lead to the desired result.

Ivan Drozdov 12.02.2018

Despite the rapid development of a stroke attack, the factors contributing to its occurrence take many years to form and negatively affect the body. Compliance preventive measures to reduce their influence and taking care of your health are the most effective measure to prevent this dangerous disease. Treatment of pathologies that can provoke a stroke, as well as adjustments to lifestyle, nutrition and psycho-emotional state will reduce the risk of vascular damage and the formation of ischemic areas. If it did occur and the patient was saved, it is important to prevent the development of a recurrent stroke by observing secondary prevention measures.

Risk factors for strokes

The main direction in the prevention of stroke is the control of risk factors and timely response to their aggravation. Depending on the nature of the impact and origin, they can be divided into several groups:

Behavioral– factors that are acquired in nature and can be eliminated by lifestyle correction:

addictions - smoking, drug and alcohol use, uncontrolled use of hormonal contraceptives;
psycho-emotional factors – stressful situations, nervous fatigue, depression;
improper diet - abuse of foods rich in cholesterol and animal fats;
lack of physical activity;
overweight, obesity;
living in environmentally unfavorable areas;
work in hazardous and heavy industries.

Predisposing– uncontrollable factors that cannot be corrected or excluded:

age criterion - susceptibility to strokes occurs most often after 50 years in women and after 40 years in men;
gender – the risk of developing a stroke in men over 40 years of age is several times higher than in women;
hereditary predisposition.

Pathological– diseases and disorders affecting the metabolic, vascular, nervous and endocrine systems:

arterial hypertension;
metabolic syndrome;
atherosclerosis;
diabetes;
thrombosis;
heart pathologies;
transient ischemic attacks and previous ones;
hypercholesterolemia.

When the body is exposed to one or more factors, a person needs to adjust their lifestyle and regularly take preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing an ischemic attack or cerebral hemorrhage.

Primary prevention of stroke

The main goal of primary stroke prevention is to prevent its development. To do this, people who are exposed to negative factors and diseases that increase the risk of stroke should observe the following preventive measures:

Quitting alcohol, smoking and drugs.
Adjustment daily diet– limiting the consumption of salt, sugar, spicy fatty and fried foods. Instead, the menu should include fruits and vegetables.
Weight correction is carried out by normalizing the regime and diet, as well as performing moderate physical activity during the day.
Normalization of the psycho-emotional state consists of preventing stressful situations, and if this is not possible, the ability to adequately perceive them.
Monitoring blood pressure and taking measures to normalize it. When unstable blood pressure It is important to monitor its indicators and not allow sudden jumps. For this purpose they are used psychological techniques V stressful situations, as well as medications and folk remedies.
Timely treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system. If the symptoms of cardiovascular failure are pronounced, it is necessary to undergo diagnostics to identify the causes of the pathology, after which the doctor will prescribe treatment and provide recommendations for correcting nutrition and lifestyle.
Blood glucose control. Sugar levels should be constantly monitored if diabetes mellitus is diagnosed, after 30 years - if there are prerequisites for its appearance, after 40 years - even in the absence of any signs. When a combination of elevated blood sugar levels and hypertension occurs, the condition of blood vessels worsens. In such cases, in addition to basic preventive measures, the patient is prescribed medication.
Monitoring blood cholesterol levels. To do this, you should take a blood test twice a year. If the indicator is exceeded, the patient is prescribed an appropriate diet and medication course of treatment.

Compliance with the described preventive measures does not require special effort or spending money, but it allows you to minimize the risk of developing a stroke attack.

Secondary prevention of recurrent stroke

Secondary prevention measures are aimed at preventing a second attack after a stroke has already been suffered. There are two main directions to achieve results:

Treatment of a disease that could become a catalyst for a stroke attack.
Reducing the risk of developing a second stroke.

In both cases, a set of preventive measures is drawn up, consisting of non-drug and medicinal methods. The results of their implementation are assessed by doctors, and if necessary, treatment can be adjusted.

Is something bothering you? Illness or life situation?

The main non-drug prevention measures include:

complete cessation of bad habits;
gradual introduction of physical activity - classes physical therapy, walking;
taking massage courses according to the indications of a rehabilitation specialist;
maintaining normal body weight;
following a diet aimed at reducing cholesterol;
the use of folk remedies in consultation with a doctor to reduce the impact of factors that can provoke a recurrent stroke.

Drug therapy in the prevention of recurrent stroke is aimed at reducing the impact pathological reasons causing ischemic attacks or hemorrhages:

strengthening blood vessels and restoring their tone;
normalization of blood pressure;
blood thinning;
reduction in blood cholesterol levels.

For this purpose, the patient is prescribed medications that should be taken regularly in strictly designated courses. For warning hemorrhagic stroke The patient may be recommended surgery.

Drug prevention of stroke, drugs

In case of persistently expressed signs of chronic diseases that can provoke a primary or recurrent stroke, the patient is prescribed drug therapy.

Important

For the purpose of primary prevention of stroke, the patient is prescribed periodic treatment medications depending on the pathology present:

For atherosclerosis:

statins (Simvastatin, Atorvstatin) - to block the enzyme responsible for the production of cholesterol;
nicotinic acid - to increase lipoprotein density;
fibrates (Fenofibrate) – increase the level of “good” cholesterol;
fish oil (Omega-3) – improves the rheological properties of blood.

For arterial hypertension:

diuretics (Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide);
calcium channel blockers (Nifedipine);
ACE inhibitors (Enalapril, Captofril);
alpha and beta blockers (Clonidine, Metoprolol).

For thrombosis:

antiplatelet agents (acetylsalicylic acid);
anticoagulants (Heparin, Sinkumar).

For diabetes mellitus, medications that reduce glucose or insulin.

Attention!

After a stroke, the risk of a recurrence of an attack increases 8-10 times, so preventive measures are vital necessary measure. Drug prophylaxis is prescribed in the hospital in conjunction with stroke treatment. For this, the patient is prescribed drugs that help:

Improving blood circulation:

calcium antagonists (Finoptin, Diazem);
alkaloid drugs (Cavinton, Vinpocentine).

Normalization of blood pressure.
Relieving post-stroke depression (antidepressants).
Blood thinning (anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents).

For therapeutic and preventive purposes, a patient who has suffered a stroke is prescribed vitamins (in particular, group B), drugs to restore work immune system and nootropics. Drug therapy should be carried out under the strict supervision of doctors in dosages prescribed by them.

Prevention of stroke with folk remedies

The smooth functioning of the metabolic, vascular, nervous and cardiac systems is a key factor in preventing stroke. Their restoration and maintenance at normal levels is ensured not only by medications, but also folk remedies. In the prevention of stroke in the absence of acute pathological processes, infusions and decoctions of herbs and other plant components, the effect of which is cumulative, are effective.

To strengthen the walls of blood vessels and increase their tone, you can regularly take the following folk remedies:

Infusion of hawthorn and valerian. To do this, equal parts of dry raw materials are crushed and poured into glass containers. 7 parts of 40% vodka are also added there. After 2 weeks of infusion, the healing solution is filtered and 20 drops are taken every day.
Citrus fruits in honey. Oranges and lemons, 2 pcs. each is ground through a meat grinder. Add honey (2 tbsp) and a pinch of cinnamon to the pulp and mix well. The resulting medicine is left in a warm place for a day, after which it is taken three times a day, a tablespoon.
Monastic tea. Rose hips (0.5 cups) and elecampane roots (10-15 g) are placed in a 5 liter pan, poured with boiling water and cooked for 3 hours. After this, St. John's wort and oregano (20 g each), as well as black tea and rosehip (1 g each) are added to the tea. After simmering on the fire for an hour, the drink is ready to drink.

The described folk remedies help prevent the development of a recurrent stroke, but their use must be approved by the attending physician. In addition, recipes are selected to help restore blood supply to the brain and lost functions. The most effective of them include:

Alcohol infusion on pine cones . Fruits with seeds, collected in early spring, are crushed, placed in a container and filled with vodka. The mixture is infused for two weeks, while being shaken daily. The strained infusion is consumed after this period 2-3 times a day, a teaspoon at a time.
Decoction of celandine. A tablespoon of dry herb is brewed in a glass of boiling water and set aside for a couple of hours. Take a teaspoon in three doses for a month.
Juniper decoction. Leaves of the plant (2 tbsp) are brewed in a glass of boiling water. After 4 hours of infusion in a thermos, the decoction is consumed twice a day, 2 tbsp.

Features of stroke prevention in women

One of the stroke prevention measures that applies exclusively to women is monitoring the use of hormonal contraceptives. According to statistics, women over 30 years of age who regularly take hormonal drugs as contraceptives have a 4 times higher risk of stroke than those who use alternative methods contraception. To prevent the development of acute brain failure while taking contraceptives, the selection of drugs, as well as the regimen and duration of their use, should be determined by the doctor based on laboratory and instrumental studies.

The risk of stroke also increases threefold in women who smoke. To eliminate the negative impact of this addiction on the blood vessels of the brain, it is necessary to abandon it. Otherwise, a woman at risk of stroke should follow basic preventative measures.

Features of stroke prevention in men

Basic measures to prevent stroke must be observed by both women and men. Particular attention should be paid to such risk factors for stroke as exposure to stress and chronic fatigue.

Excessive exercise stress and nervous fatigue, arising against the backdrop of a fast pace of life and lack of emotional unloading, lead to men developing chronic fatigue syndrome. They aggravate the condition and increase the risk of stroke with bad habits, trying to relieve it with the help of alcohol and cigarettes. Bad mood and fatigue.

As a preventative measure, at the first signs of stress or severe fatigue, you should review and rationally plan your daily schedule, undergo a preventive course of treatment with antidepressants, and also replace bad habits with light sports and active leisure.

Stroke is one of the first places in terms of the number of deaths, not inferior to such ailments as myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, and oncology. This disease was described a long time ago in fiction mainly as a disease of old people. Then it was called a stroke, or apoplexy.

In the last 10-15 years, strokes have become younger and more frequent. Russia firmly holds first place in the number of patients among developed countries (more than 350 thousand per year). Heart disease used to top the list of causes of death in the country. They were followed different kinds tumors and cerebrovascular accidents. However, recently, there have been almost 1.5 times more patients diagnosed with stroke than patients with heart attack, especially in large cities.

The favorite target of the disease is people over 55 years of age, but increasingly, brain catastrophe overtakes men in the prime of life - businessmen and top managers aged 40 to 55 years, and even among 30-year-old very young people, stroke is now not at all uncommon.

Experts link this to an increase in stress loads, environmental deterioration, and an increase in other unfavorable factors (magnetic storms, changes in atmospheric pressure).

In addition to stress and the environment, there are other objective reasons that are risk factors for becoming a potential stroke victim.

Heredity is decisive. If you have a family history of stroke, you should be especially careful about monitoring your blood pressure.

Stroke especially favors stocky, densely built people with short necks and broad chests.

Smoking - best friend stroke. American scientists who observed residents of one town for 30 years came to the conclusion that cigarettes are even more likely to provoke disease than a rise in blood pressure.

In the list of diseases leading to stroke, the first positions are occupied by hypertension, atherosclerosis (these diseases often go hand in hand), diabetes mellitus, especially insulin-dependent diabetes. It often joins the first two diseases, spurring them on.

Particular attention should be paid to “jumps” in pressure, the absence of a decrease in pressure at night and “peaks” of pressure in the morning.

Transient ischemic attacks, when the disease is just taking aim, can be short-lived, even fleeting for a few seconds. These are temporary sensory disturbances, numbness in the arm, leg, face, difficulty speaking, and unsteadiness in gait.

If you discover these warning signs of trouble, you should immediately consult a doctor. After all, a tragedy may not happen if you pay due attention to your health in time.

But, if a brain catastrophe could not be avoided, its approach is indicated by a severe headache (pulsating, migrating), the head is heavy and as if squeezed by a hoop. In addition, other symptoms appear against its background:

- dizziness combined with a feeling of uncertainty and unsteadiness when walking - the ground seems to be disappearing from under your feet;

- flashing “flies” before the eyes. An increasing feeling of unsteadiness when looking from object to object;

- nausea and vomiting;

- sudden drowsiness, confusion, fainting. Even a seizure is possible;

- muscle weakness in the limbs, usually unilateral;

- sensation of “pins and needles” or loss of sensation (usually on one side of the body;

- difficulty speaking.

6 emergency rules

If at least one of the above symptoms appears, do not waste a minute!

1. Immediately call an ambulance, and ask not for the usual general therapy, but for a specialized neurological team, which will provide the necessary assistance at home and on the way to the hospital.

2. Before the doctor arrives, the patient should lie on high pillows tucked under the shoulders, shoulder blades and head so that it is raised above the bed level by about 30 degrees.

3. You need to unbutton your shirt collar and take off your tight clothes. Open a window or window to provide fresh air.

4. Measure blood pressure. If it is elevated (more than 140/90), give the patient an antihypertensive drug that he usually takes.

5. You should drink 1 g of glycine (10 tablets under the tongue) per dose or 5 tablets 3 times with an interval of 30 minutes. This amino acid eases the course of the disease.

6. If there are no contraindications, you can take half a tablet of aspirin (0.25 g), preferably in soluble form.

If help was provided in the first 3-6 hours, there is a greater chance of recovering from a stroke without serious consequences.

However, the reality is harsh: most people who have a stroke in old age remain disabled.

A word from a specialist

Deputy Director of the State Research Center of Neurology RAMT, Head of the Department of Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Corresponding Member of the American Academy of Neurology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Mikhail Aleksandrovich Piradov

Need to lead healthy image life: stop smoking, eat right, avoiding too much salty and spicy foods, maintain emotional balance, conflict situations take a position “above the fray” and do not forget about physical activity. However, first of all, it is necessary to monitor your blood pressure and regularly take antihypertensive medications prescribed by your doctor. You should have a modern blood pressure monitor at work and at home.

Surprisingly, it depends on him whether life will be divided into “before” and “after” a stroke or not. In the late 80s, a program with the beautiful acronym MONICA was carried out all over the world. Its results show: just regular blood pressure measurement and keeping it normal reduces the number of myocardial infarctions by 19-21%, but at the same time this is amazing! - reduces the number of strokes by 43-45%!

Of 100 patients with arterial hypertension, only half know about their high blood pressure. And only 10-15 people out of a hundred keep it in check with daily monitoring and medication. What about the rest? Like in that joke: they hit their fingers with a hammer and when asked: “Why, it hurts?” - they answer: “But it’s so nice when you miss!”

In Japan, a special state program for blood pressure control was adopted, after which average age its residents are approaching 82 years of age. Isn't that impressive?

Materials from ProLife magazine were used in preparation.

How to avoid a heart attack

Seven simple tips, how to reduce the chance of your premature death by minimizing the risk of having a heart attack, heart attack or stroke.

1. Check your blood pressure regularly

Stroke and heart disease are among the top five leading causes of death worldwide, killing an estimated 20 million people each year. However, experts believe that in 80% of cases this death could have been prevented (1).

You will significantly reduce the risk of premature death by following simple preventive measures and checking your blood pressure levels at least once a month. Remember that 7% of those who died from strokes and heart attacks were under 45 years of age (2).

2. Avoid diet mistakes

Consumption of excessive amounts of animal fats and trans fats (solid vegetable fats that have been chemically converted into liquid form) leads to an increase in the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood, which, in turn, clogs the arteries.

Try to avoid fatty foods, margarine, as well as fast food and industrial baked goods containing large amounts of the aforementioned trans fats. Remember that there are numerous studies showing that they cause cancer.

3. Monitor your blood sugar levels

Excessive sugar consumption can lead to the development of diabetes, which is one of the main factors that increases the risk of stroke. Doctors believe that having diabetes “ages” the human body by as much as 15 years (3).

Chronically increased level blood sugar causes destructive changes in blood vessels (including in the vessels of the heart and brain), while repeatedly increasing Negative consequences, for example, stroke.

4. Quit smoking

The list of smoking-related factors that increase the risk of heart disease is almost endless: smoking increases blood pressure, smoking thickens the blood, smoking causes cholesterol to build up in the artery walls (atherosclerosis), and so on.

It is estimated that more than 20% of deaths in the United States are caused by smoking (4). In this case, smoking means both direct smoking of cigarettes and inhalation of other people's cigarette smoke, smoking hookahs, pipes, and so on.

5. Maintain a healthy weight

Despite the fact that different formulas " ideal weight” are very approximate (athletes can weigh more than normal without suffering from obesity), such formulas are still able to show the presence of excessive weight in people of ordinary build.

Doctors believe that if overweight people lose just 5kg, they will significantly reduce their risk of heart attack - in most cases overweight Connected with high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels.

6. Exercise

Regular fitness and sports activities (especially the use of various cardio exercises - running, fast walking, swimming) significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, keeping the body in general and the heart in particular in good physical shape.

In addition, those who regularly engage in fitness do not suffer in most cases. overweight, are more careful about their nutrition and diet, avoiding the consumption of overly sweet or overly fatty foods.

7. Know the signs of a stroke

Signs of a stroke may include a sharp headache (in most cases), a feeling of weakness on one side of the body, sudden difficulty in understanding speech, a sharp deterioration in vision (in one or both eyes), and poor coordination in space (3).

If you notice any of these signs, call immediately ambulance without trying to get to the hospital on your own, and without taking any medications. Remember that professional help within the first hour is critical.

Stroke, heart attack and other heart diseases are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. By exercising regularly and eating a sensible diet, you can significantly reduce your risk of dying earlier.

Sources:

About World Heart Day, source
Man Killer #5: Stroke, source
Brain Basics: Preventing Stroke, source
How Does Smoking Affect the Heart and Blood Vessels. source

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How to avoid a stroke

Stroke: causes that lead to acute circulatory disorders in the brain

The causes of stroke can be very different. For example, it can happen due to atherosclerosis, when cholesterol plaques and fat narrow the lumen of the arteries, due to blocked arteries, or rupture of arteries in the brain due to high blood pressure. In most cases, atherosclerosis and hypertension lead to stroke, so stroke prevention should also include the prevention of these diseases. A person suffering from hypertension must fight it by all means. To understand whether a person cares about his health, just ask him a few questions. For example, does he often measure his blood pressure, does he know what his “working” pressure is. And if a person cannot accurately answer these questions, it means that he is not very attentive to his health. But in vain - JustLady magazine reminds that in many cases it is high blood pressure that causes a stroke. To mix stroke risk At a minimum, you need to control your blood pressure and prevent it from increasing. So, a person should take care of his health if the upper pressure reading is constantly more than 140, and the lower one is constantly more than 90. In this case, a doctor’s consultation is necessary. For high blood pressure, the doctor should prescribe some kind of treatment, advise diet and exercise. Of course, the effect will only be if the person strictly follows the doctor’s requirements.

Stroke is a very serious diagnosis, and if a person who knows that he is at risk thinks about it, how to avoid stroke. then he's on on the right track. Doctors unanimously declare that you need to be more attentive to your health, you need to listen to your body and not take it lightly.

Who's at risk

The risk of stroke is high in people whose doctors have determined a tendency to microthrombosis;

Increased risk of stroke in those who suffer from diabetes mellitus, angina pectoris, arterial hypertension, dyscirculatory encephalopathy;

Heavy smokers and people who abuse alcohol;

Those who are much overweight are at risk of stroke;

People who have already had acute circulatory disorders in the brain.

All those at risk should Special attention devote stroke prevention. The main thing is not to brush aside doctors’ warnings and not ignore the symptoms.

How to avoid a stroke and keep your blood pressure from rising

People under 30 should check their cholesterol levels as well as their blood glucose levels once a year, and people 30 and older every six months. It is recommended to limit the consumption of salty, hot, spicy and smoked foods, and eat more vegetables and fruits. You need to walk, do exercises, play sports. In a word, move and move as much as possible.

First of all, stroke prevention should be aimed at normalizing blood pressure, cleansing blood vessels, calming the nerves, improving immunity, digestion, sleep, and normalizing cellular metabolism. A person who is at risk must take care of his health every day - this should become a habit for him, just like brushing his teeth, taking a daily shower, or combing his hair. Of course, all this should only happen with the permission of a doctor. Older people should understand this especially well. They must understand that for their health they need to take care of themselves not only from the outside, but also from the inside: control blood pressure, clean blood vessels, and avoid stress. And all this is within the power of every person.

To prevent atherosclerosis, you need to change your diet - eat more foods that help reduce the formation of cholesterol plaques in the arteries. These are cabbage, kelp (seaweed), beans, beets, apples, buckwheat and oatmeal, low-fat cottage cheese, cherries, raspberries and currants. At the same time, seaweed is especially useful as prophylactic with atherosclerosis. The best drink to drink is green tea. It is advisable to introduce fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6) into the diet. For example, their content is high in ocean fish. But it is not recommended to drink raw water (only boiled or purified), limit the consumption of sweet foods and salt. sausages, fatty meats, fatty dairy products, kidneys, liver, eggs (you can eat no more than four of these per week).

There are folk remedies against atherosclerosis. For example, mix chokeberry with sugar, grind, take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. At high blood pressure mix honey and beet juice (in equal proportions), take 2-3 tablespoons 3 times a day. Or fresh aloe juice (3-4 drops) is dissolved in 1 tsp of water and taken on an empty stomach. Also, if you have hypertension, you need to give up smoking, alcohol, watch your weight, and move more.

Thus, if you make a healthy lifestyle a good habit and monitor your health, you can protect yourself from a variety of diseases. Be healthy!

Alisa Terentyeva

A stroke is a life-threatening pathology because it is characterized by a sudden disruption of the blood supply to the brain. In this case, massive death of nerve cells occurs and the connection between them is disrupted, and focal or cerebral neurological symptoms appear, which last more than a day and can lead to death.

If previously such a diagnosis was made mainly to older people, now Lately The busy pace of life means that even young people are often exposed to such a serious illness as a cerebral stroke. Prevention of this disease can save not only from long-term disability, but also save life.

Why is a stroke dangerous?

Stroke is a very serious disease. In addition to the fact that this disease can lead to sudden death, it can still make a person disabled who was previously practically healthy. The most common complications are:

Paresis is a partial impairment or limitation of movements in the limbs.
Paralysis is complete immobilization of the limbs; lesions on one side are more common. These are so-called hemiparesis, when the arm and leg on one side do not work at the same time.
Speech disorders.
Vestibular disorders.

All these complications lead to long-term and often even lifelong disability, after which it is difficult for people who were completely healthy until recently to adapt to the social environment.

Risk factors for strokes

Prevention of cerebral stroke is aimed at controlling factors that can cause this disease and their correction. These include:

Hypertension and blood pressure surges, the risk increases in proportion to blood pressure numbers.
Atherosclerosis.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system. For example, atrial fibrillation increases the risk of ischemic stroke.
Prolonged stress and nervous tension.
Age after 50 years. The older the patient, the higher the risk of developing this disease.
Violation of metabolic processes.
Diseases such as diabetes.
Smoking increases the risk of development by 50%.
Taking alcohol and drugs.
Long-term use of certain medications, such as hormonal contraceptives or anticoagulants.
Gender factor - men over 45 years of age have a higher risk of stroke than women.
Heredity.
Physical inactivity.
Obesity and overweight.

Primary and secondary prevention

All these factors can trigger the development of the problem we are considering. serious illness. Prevention of cerebral stroke is divided into primary and secondary. Primary involves preventing risk factors for the disease. It can be carried out both on a statewide scale and on an individual basis.

Secondary is aimed at eliminating risk factors for stroke, which under certain circumstances can trigger a relapse of the disease. The most effective method are regular preventive examinations that allow timely identification and prevention of unwanted deviations and, if necessary, the use of medications to prevent the disease. In addition, both primary and secondary prevention of stroke is carried out not only with medication, but also with the help of traditional medicine, as well as by giving up bad habits and harmful factors.

Diet

Prevention of cerebral stroke at home includes proper nutrition, which will help prevent unfavorable factors that can provoke the disease. Such a diet should include a sufficient amount of fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meat ( chicken breast, veal, beef), lean fish and nuts.

Products containing animal fats should be excluded. It is also undesirable to consume easily digestible carbohydrates. These include all sweets, baked goods, and baked goods. As a dessert, you can eat dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots) within reasonable limits. Chocolate is allowed in limited quantities. It is useful to include slowly absorbed carbohydrates for breakfast; it is advisable to consume them with fresh vegetables. This could be buckwheat or millet porridge with a vitamin salad dressed with olive oil.

Fried and smoked foods, foods containing cholesterol (chicken yolk, lard, etc.), preservatives, pickles and marinades should be excluded. Excess salt retains water in the body and thus can provoke an attack of hypertension. And this, in turn, is an unfavorable factor that can give impetus to the development of a stroke.

For overweight people, it is advisable to lose weight. But this needs to be done gradually. You should not lose weight suddenly, as this can cause various health problems, including a cerebral stroke. You can get rid of 2.5-3 extra kg per month without any harm to the body.

Exercise stress

Regular physical exercise strengthens blood vessels and the body as a whole. But they should be moderate, especially for patients who have suffered a cerebral stroke. It is impossible to overload an already weakened body. All physical exercises should be performed at a slow pace. Prevention of this kind will help a weakened body to tone up.

Bad habits

Complete abandonment of bad habits significantly reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the brain and the formation of blood clots. These measures can prevent cerebral stroke. Prevention of this kind improves the quality and increases the life expectancy of patients who have already had this disease. Reducing the number of cigarettes smoked is not prevention and does not reduce the likelihood of an ischemic attack. Only complete cessation of smoking will be beneficial.

Some sources report that a small amount of red wine is good for blood vessels, but this is not true. The latest findings of scientists indicate that alcohol in any quantity does nothing but harm. In order to cleanse blood vessels, it is better to use proven folk remedies.

ethnoscience

Prevention of cerebral stroke using folk remedies is possible only after consultation with a doctor. It is most often used in conjunction with other methods, such as drug therapy. The following tools can be used:

Infusion kombucha. It is consumed half a glass 3-5 times a day.
Alcohol 30 drops are pre-dissolved in a small amount of water or tea and taken 2 times a day (morning and evening). This tincture is prepared as follows: a half-liter jar is completely filled with flowers or fruits horse chestnut and fill it to the brim with vodka. Place the jar in a dark place for 14 days. Afterwards, filter and pour the resulting tincture into a dark glass container.
Fresh ginger root - add to tea or any drinks. Dry crushed ginger can be added to meat dishes.
Chopped nutmeg - added to any dish. Nutmeg powder can be held in the mouth for several minutes, then swallowed with cold boiled water.
Before going to bed, it is useful to instill 2 drops of an aqueous solution of mumiyo into each nasal passage.
At high level cholesterol for the prevention of atherosclerosis, which can cause a stroke, it is useful to eat foods containing chanterelle mushrooms and herring. But the herring should not be salted, which we are used to, but steamed or in the oven. A large number of salt makes this product not very suitable for a healthy diet.
To cleanse blood vessels, it is useful to use a product made from honey, lemon and garlic. All ingredients are taken in equal quantities. Lemon and garlic are crushed in a blender. Before doing this, you need to peel the garlic and wash the lemon thoroughly. By the way, citrus is ground directly with the peel. The resulting product can be stored in the refrigerator and taken one teaspoon daily.

We remind you once again: prevention of cerebral stroke with folk remedies should be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician and on his recommendation. Only under such conditions will it be beneficial.

Prevention of cerebral stroke. Drugs

This option is considered by many patients to be the most effective. Let's discuss the pros and cons.

As you know, those who are at risk for such a terrible disease as cerebral stroke should take special care. Secondary prevention in this case involves the use of medications. In addition, doctors often recommend that patients undergo reconstructive surgery on the carotid arteries, which can save their lives.

People suffering from hypertension are recommended to measure blood pressure twice a day and record these numbers in a special diary. At an appointment with a cardiologist, these records must be shown to the doctor so that he can select effective treatment hypertension, which is a risk factor for the development of stroke - both hemorrhagic and ischemic. Taking antihypertensive drugs such as Lozap and Lozap plus may be prescribed to treat hypertension. In addition, for emergency reduction of blood pressure, you can use, for example, the drug "Capoten" and diuretics, for example, "Furosemide" ("Lasix"). Patients should take antihypertensive drugs long time, until stable stabilization of blood pressure levels. It is necessary to adjust therapy with such means under the supervision of a cardiologist or therapist. This prevention of ischemic cerebral stroke prolongs active life patients and allows them to feel satisfactorily for quite a long time. What other drugs do doctors prescribe to their patients?

To prevent a cerebral stroke from happening again, prevention must include taking antiplatelet agents and antimicrobial therapy. Quite often, cardiologists recommend taking medications such as Aspirin, Ticlopidine, Clopidogrel, Dipyridamole. Such therapy is usually designed for a long period. It can last for years. It is important to periodically monitor platelet aggregation activity. If it increases, it is necessary Prescribe patients to take antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants, which include Warfarin. These drugs prevent the formation of blood clots and thereby prevent the development of stroke.

Prevention of cerebral stroke in atherosclerosis is aimed at increasing it by only 10% of the norm increases the risk of stroke by up to 25%. Excess low-density cholesterol (also popularly called bad sticky cholesterol) contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels. With high blood pressure, this increases the likelihood of developing stroke. How to prevent cerebral stroke in this case? You should try to maintain normal cholesterol levels. To reduce it, lipid-lowering therapy is used, which involves taking statins. TO medicines This group includes, for example, “Simvastatin”, “Niacin”, “Pravastatin”. Typically, these medications must be taken by patients for life.

In addition, it is necessary to take complexes that strengthen the walls of blood vessels, increasing their tone and elasticity. Doctors recommend Ginkgo Biloba FORTE, which contains active substances of plant origin that reduce the permeability of capillary walls, strengthen the vascular wall and normalize its tone. In this way, it is possible to provide comprehensive prevention of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.

Differences in the development of stroke in men and women

According to statistics, women are more often affected by stroke after the age of 60, while in men the risk of developing it exists after 40 years.
Men tolerate the disease more easily than women.
Full recovery in men after a stroke occurs much more often than in women.
Statistics show that the mortality rate among women after this disease is significantly higher than among men.
Female risk factors for stroke: taking contraceptives, migraines, pathological pregnancy, and a high likelihood of thrombosis.

Prevention of cerebral stroke in men and women

To talk about preventing this disease, you need to understand the causes of its occurrence. Thus, among women who smoke and take oral contraceptives after the age of 30, the risk of stroke increases by 25%, compared with non-smokers and women who prefer other types of contraception. The logical conclusion follows that the prevention of cerebral stroke in women with similar bad habits and precautionary measures boil down to abandoning them.

Also, people who are highly impressionable and not stress-resistant, with frequent mood swings, are more susceptible to stroke. Such patients can be advised to take daily walks as a preventive measure. fresh air, contrast shower in the morning, and in more advanced cases, taking sedatives, but they can only be taken after consulting a doctor. If you suffer from insomnia, then it is useful to drink half a glass of warm herbal tea or

How to prevent a cerebral stroke? Prevention of this disease should be aimed at reducing and eliminating risk factors. For this purpose, medical examinations and medical examinations of the population are carried out annually. Tests for cholesterol and blood glucose are required. If health problems are identified, measures must be taken to eliminate them. It is advisable for all citizens, regardless of their age and gender, to give up bad habits.