Advert warns to act FAST when you see signs of a stroke
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Strokes occur when the blood supply to your brain is cut off. Depending on their severity they can be fatal. Like many medical conditions, what you eat can play a part in lowering or raising your risk of the condition.
According to a study, published in the Stroke journal, diets high in the mineral potassium could slash the chances of having a stroke.
As part of the research, the team studied 90,137 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79, who had no history of stroke, for 11 years.
It says: “Highest quartile of potassium intake was associated with lower incidence of ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke, and total mortality.”
The study concludes: “High potassium intake is associated with a lower risk of all stroke and ischemic stroke as well as all-cause mortality in older women, particularly those who are not hypertensive.”
The stroke-reducing benefits of potassium were backed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
It suggests the following potassium-rich foods to lower your risk:
- Chicken – 174 grams contains 574 milligrams of potassium
- Banana – one contains 330mg
- Avocado – half contains 360mg
- Broccoli – 80g raw contains 317mg
- Spinach – 80g contains 545mg
- Cooked salmon – 154g contains 634mg
- Potato – 175g boiled contains 639mg
- Skimmed milk ⅓ pint contains 316mg.
The BHF says: “People who had the most potassium in their diet were 13 per cent less likely to have a heart attack or stroke than people who consumed the least, according to research published in the European Heart Journal.
“The study also found that potassium-rich diets were linked with having lower blood pressure in women who eat a lot of salt.
“Previous research has already shown that eating more salt is linked with having higher blood pressure and a high risk of heart attacks and strokes, while eating more potassium-rich foods has been linked with having lower blood pressure and a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.”
There are two main types of strokes.
One is known as an ischaemic stroke, which happens when blood supply is stopped because of a blood clot and accounts for around 85 percent of all cases.
There is also the haemorrhagic stroke that occurs when a weakened vessel supplying blood to the brain bursts.
And transient ischaemic attacks (TIA), or mini-strokes happen when the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted.
Stroke symptoms
The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST.
Face – The face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
Arms – The person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
Speech – Their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them.
Time – It’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
Some factors that can raise your risk of a stroke include:
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Eating unhealthy foods
- Family history of stroke
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Atrial fibrillation
- High cholesterol.
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