Hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol are the leading factors that increase the risk of stroke.
Stating that hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases and high cholesterol are the leading factors that increase the risk of stroke, neurology specialist Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ said, "Stay away from smoking and alcohol to reduce the risk of stroke. Fight obesity and increase physical activity. Diet is important in close relationship with risk factors."
Every year, May 10 is commemorated as World Stroke Day. On this day, it is aimed 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.
Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ, Head of Üsküdar University Department of Neuroscience, NPISTANBUL Hospital neurology specialist, gave the following information about stroke:
"Stroke is the name given to the pictures consisting of neurological findings that occur as a result of various cerebrovascular diseases in neurology. Among neurological diseases, stroke is the most common disease group resulting in death and disability. The most important reasons for this are that the brain is the most vascularized organ in the body and receives the most blood and the risk factors leading to stroke are very common.
Although the brain accounts for 5 percent of the body weight, it receives 20 percent of the blood that the heart expels at one time. In other words, although its weight is one twentieth of the body weight, the blood it receives is one fifth of the total blood. Since it is an organ that receives a high rate of blood, it is covered with a network of blood vessels.
Two-thirds of the blood in this vascular network irrigates two-thirds of the brain, called the anterior system. The remaining one-third goes to the brainstem, called the posterior system, where the posterior lobe of the brain, the cerebellum and vital centers are located."
ATTENTION TO RISK FACTORS IN STROKE
Pointing out that stroke risk factors are very diverse, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ suggested a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of stroke. Prof. Dr. Tanrıdağ continued as follows:
"Hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases and high cholesterol take the first place among these. Other risk factors include smoking, alcohol, obesity, lack of physical activity and genetic factors. Combating these factors significantly reduces the risk of stroke.
Stroke diseases are divided into two main groups. These are obstructive strokes and strokes caused by bleeding. Obstructive strokes include strokes related to the large vessels to the brain and strokes related to the small vessels of the brain. Hemorrhages are classified in a similar way.
DIET IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT
Definitive treatments for stroke have not been defined. Combating risk factors is effective. In close relation with risk factors, diet is important. The so-called Mediterranean diet; vegetables and white meat dishes made with olive oil, salads and fruits are important."