5 health tips for women to prevent the risk of strokes

A stroke is a serious and fatal medical emergency that occurs when blood is cut off from the brain, in most cases due to a blood clot or rupture of a blood vessel.

There are two main types of strokes: ischemic stroke, when an obstruction prevents blood from flowing properly to the brain, and hemorrhagic stroke, when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and causes bleeding, damaging brain cells.

While some risk factors, such as age, race, and family history, cannot be changed, other risk factors can be mitigated through healthy lifestyle choices.

Dr. Parag Shah, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist who works at Brooks Rehabilitation Center in Jacksonville, Florida, shared some tips on how women can reduce their risk of stroke.

1. Avoid air pollution

Research has shown that air pollution tends to affect women more than men in terms of inflammation, infections and heart disease.

“According to a recent review, high levels of ambient air pollution, even just short-term exposure, can increase the likelihood of strokes,” Shah said.

2. Follow the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet, a balanced diet followed by countries along the Mediterranean Sea, such as Italy and Greece, can reduce the health risks associated with strokes, according to Shah.

“Current research on stroke prevention explores a range of lifestyle factors,” Shah explained to Fox News Digital. “This includes the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.” Such as fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds.

3. Practice tai chi and yoga

Shah suggests exercise that promotes heart health, reduces stress, and can help reduce the likelihood of stroke.

He said: “Participating in physical activities such as yoga, tai chi and strength training, while also giving importance to mindfulness techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can provide additional benefits in reducing the risk of strokes.”

4. Know the less common signs of a stroke

Shah warned that sudden confusion, difficulty understanding, difficulty speaking, double vision, and numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, are often overlooked signs of strokes.

“Recognizing these signs is crucial, because rapid identification and prompt medical care greatly enhance the chances of recovery for stroke patients,” he said.

5. Understand the hidden reasons

Besides the more obvious stroke symptoms, there are some warning signs that we tend to overlook until it's too late.

“Factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, and hormonal changes such as menopause can increase the likelihood of stroke,” Shah explained.

He added that the use of oral contraceptives and hormone therapy can also increase this risk, as can hidden biological factors that make women more vulnerable to infection.

“Scheduling regular health checkups and staying on top of stroke symptoms and prevention methods is essential to maintaining good health,” Shah said.