"If you smoke, you are 2.5 times more likely to have a stroke than non-smokers, and if you have diabetes, you are 1.6 times more likely to have a stroke," experts warn, pointing out that physical activity and exercise reduce the risk of stroke with direct and indirect effects.

May 10 is commemorated every year as World Stroke Prevention Day. This special day aims to raise awareness about what needs to be done to prevent stroke and to draw attention to the necessity of rehabilitation services for people who become disabled due to stroke.

Stroke is most commonly caused by vascular occlusion

Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı gave the following information about stroke:

"Stroke or paralysis is the loss of function in the relevant brain region as a result of blockage or rupture of one of the vessels supplying the brain. From this point of view, it can manifest itself as vascular occlusion or bleeding in the brain. Stroke often (85%) manifests itself with vascular occlusion, while cerebral hemorrhages occur less frequently."

15 million people have stroke annually

Stating that according to the World Health Organization, 15 million people in the world have a stroke annually, Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said, "This means 1 stroke in 40 seconds or 2,200 strokes per day. Of those who have a stroke annually, 5 million become disabled and 5 million die. It is one of the most common causes of death and disability. In our country, 130 thousand people have a stroke every year. In the next 10 years, almost one in every family will have had a stroke."

Early intervention is very important

Stating that stroke is treated according to its type, Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said, "There is treatment depending on the type of stroke. If it is in the form of vascular occlusion, first of all, treatments to improve vascular occlusion in the early period are applied. This early treatment may be in the form of opening the blocked vessel with a clot-dissolving drug given intravenously within the first 4.5 hours or by entering the blocked vessel with angiography. Early treatment is urgent and can be administered within a certain time window. Therefore, people need to be vigilant to recognize a stroke. The second treatment approach is called secondary prevention. In the case of a blood vessel blockage, an appropriate blood thinner can be used to reduce the risk of stroke later on. In the case of cerebral hemorrhage, if there is a vascular cause of the bleeding, surgery or angiography may be necessary. In both cases, the risk factors that cause stroke are identified and each risk factor is corrected."

Beware of smoking, hypertension and diabetes!

Stating that stroke has certain risk factors, Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı made the following warnings:

"For example, the most common risk factors for cerebrovascular occlusion are smoking, hypertension, diabetes, heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation, high blood lipids, high alcohol intake, depression, and high weight. Therefore, individualized precautions and prevention methods should be emphasized. Each of these factors has a certain risk of cerebrovascular occlusion. For example, if you smoke, you are 2.5 times more likely to have a stroke than non-smokers, and if you have diabetes, you are 1.6 times more likely to have a stroke. Therefore, prevention is about risk factors. It is necessary to analyze and correct the risks according to the individual. One of the most important risk factors for cerebral hemorrhages is uncontrolled hypertension."

Exercise reduces the risk of stroke

Pointing out that factors such as healthy and balanced nutrition and movement reduce the risk of stroke, Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı listed his recommendations as follows

"Physical activity and exercise reduce the risk of stroke through direct and indirect effects.
Smoking should never be smoked. This includes hookah.
All types of alcohol increase the risk of stroke. However, a glass of red wine can be used if it is very necessary and social reasons require its use.

Diabetes treatment is an investment in vascular health

Diabetics should reduce their own sugar control to the appropriate ranges as much as possible. They should consider treating their diabetes as an investment in their long-term vascular health.

Seafood reduces the risk of stroke, especially small fish containing omega-3s. Nuts, peanuts and nuts are also good for the arteries with their essential fats and minerals. If a person is obese, he/she should definitely strive to reduce his/her weight to the normal range.

Cholesterol medication must be used

Cholesterol is a risk factor, but it is a risk factor like smoking. If there are very high values and first-degree relatives have early strokes or heart attacks, they should not refrain from taking medication if the doctor recommends it. In other words, it increases your risk of stroke at the same rate as smoking. Therefore, forgetting other risk factors and saying "I have cholesterol" does not make sense. All risks should be reduced appropriately.

After all, any food that is good for the heart is also good for the brain. A person is only as young as his vascular youth!"