Probably everyone reading this has someone or knows someone who has suffered the effects of a stroke.
A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. It is caused by the interruption of flow of blood to the brain (ischemic stroke) or the rupture of blood vessels in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The interruption of blood flow or the rupture of blood vessels causes brain cells (neurons) in the affected area to die (as per The Heart and Stroke Foundation).
When someone suffers a stroke the resulting side effects depend on what part of the brain is affected. The person may have paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, visual problems, difficulty reading, talking, thinking, remembering…the list goes on and on.
So what can we do to prevent stroke? Well…thankfully plenty! Some of the risk factors for stroke are non-negotiable: age, gender, ethnicity and family history. However the other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor diet and obesity CAN all be controlled. And here is the great part: the Lap-Band is effective in helping to reduce and/or eliminate all of the above mentioned risk factors.
Being physically active has been proven to be effective in reducing ones risk of suffering a stroke. Those who are physically inactive are twice as likely to be at risk for heart disease and stroke than those who are active. Now this doesn’t mean you have to run out and join the nearest gym. The Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends that Canadians get active 30 minutes a day. This could mean going for a walk, getting out in the garden, kicking the soccer ball around with your kids, washing your car instead of taking it to the car wash..anything that gets you moving. Make it something enjoyable so that you will be encouraged to do it again and keep it up! (that said, one of the Heart and Stroke Foundations ideas for increasing activity was housework…think I’ll forget I read that one).
Be sure to love what you do, and do what you love so that you will be motivated to keep moving, to stay healthy and to enjoy life every day!
Yours in Health and Fitness,
Sue
P.s. Follow me on my blog at Bodywell Fitness!