from American Heart Association journal, STROKE
Ninety percent of strokes might be prevented by risk factors within our control, especially high blood pressure. That comment comes from Dr. James Meschia, of the Mayo Clinic and lead author of new guidelines for lowering risk of stroke. The guidelines were published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke and include eating a Mediterranean or DASH diet higher in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry and fish. They also emphasize regular physical activity, limiting sodium in our diets and not smoking. The guidelines also recommend avoiding secondhand smoke to lower risks of stroke and heart attacks. Dr. Meschia says in many cases stroke is not fatal, but it leads to years of physical, emotional and mental impairment that could be avoided.