Strokes are common heres how to prevent most of them

More than 600,000 Americans are expected to experience their first stroke this year — but up to 80% of these incidents may be preventable.The American Stroke Association (ASA) issued updated advice on Monday urging health care workers to screen for stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar and obesity.“The most effective way to reduce the occurrence of a stroke and stroke-related death is to prevent the first stroke — referred to as primary prevention,” said Dr.Cheryl D.

Bushnell, chair of the ASA guideline writing group.“Some populations have an elevated risk of stroke,” Bushnell continued, “whether it be due to genetics, lifestyle, biological factors and/or social determinants of health, and in some cases, people do not receive appropriate screening to identify their risk.”A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel bursts and leaks blood into the brain.Stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the US last year, accounting for 162,600 deaths, according to preliminary data.The updated ASA recommendations — which replace 2014 guidelines — encourage adults to follow the Mediterranean diet no matter their stroke risk.The plant-based eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats and not red meat and sugar.The ASA, a division of the American Heart Association, also suggests cutting stroke risk by exercising regularly, getting sufficient sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling cholesterol, managing blood pressure and blood sugar and avoiding smoking.Health care professionals should screen patients for sedentary behavior — adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous exercise, or a mixture of both throughout the week.Adults should also be screened for and educated on the importance of non-medical factors such as education, financial stability, access t...