Prevention Topics: Oral Health

Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and the third leading cause of death.  More than 700,000 Americans will have a stroke this year. A stroke occurs when the part of the blood supply to the brain is stopped and brain cells do not get enough oxygen.  The risk of stroke increases with age.  Strokes are more common in men and individuals whose parent, grandparent or sibling had a stroke.   Many factors can increase the chances of stroke.     

• Smoking is the number one preventable risk factors for strokes.  If you smoke, quit.  Diabetes increases your risk for stroke.  
• High Blood Pressure is a major cause of stroke.  
• High Cholesterol can cause build-up in your arteries that slows blood flow to your brain, heart and other organs and can result in a stroke.
• Overweight and obesity can result in high blood pressure.  Talk to your health care team about MOVE! Weight Management program.
• Physical inactivity can result in overweight and obesity, which increases your risk for stroke.  

• Excessive alcohol can raise your blood pressure. 
• Individuals sometimes respond to stress by smoking, drinking alcohol or eating high fat, high-calorie foods.  However, there are healthier ways to manage stress.  Physical activity is one way.  Learn stress management techniques that work for you.

Getting Ready for Your Appointment:  Having your blood pressure taken is easy.  Did you know that you could avoid getting distorted readings by following the 11 guidelines in the web page article Getting Ready For Your Appointment.   

High Blood Pressure – Aim for Control:  Do you know your blood pressure?  One out of every three adults has high blood pressure (hypertension).  Managing high blood pressure lasts a lifetime.  Here are some things you can do to improve your blood pressure control.

• Take your blood pressure medicines!  Maintain a healthy weight. 
• Eat a healthy diet.  The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan has been shown t o lower blood pressure. 
• Get physically active.  Aim for ½ hour of activity most days of the week.  Limit alcohol.   

Do you have a game plan for prevention and control?  High blood pressure lasts a lifetime, but there is good news.  High blood pressure can be treated, controlled and even prevented.  If you take medicine to lower your blood pressure, these changes can help the medicine work better. 

• Keep at a healthy weight. 
• Eat healthy food
• Get active. 
• Watch what you drink. 
• Stop smoking.  Manage your stress. 
• Take your medicine.  It is important to take your medicines as directed.

Be in Charge of your Blood Pressure:  Do you know what your blood pressure numbers are?  High blood pressure last a lifetime. So does managing high blood pressure. Here are some things you can do to improve your blood pressure control.

• Take your blood pressure medicines!
• Maintain a healthy weight. Visit the MOVE! Website www.move.va.gov.

Eat a healthy diet using the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf

• Get physically active.
• Limit alcohol.