New Dietary Guidelines Released Ahead of National Stroke and Blood Pressure Awareness Months
5/15/2018
Statesboro, GA, – In May, we recognize both National Stroke Awareness Month and National High Blood Pressure Education Month. The correlation of these two observances is no accident – high blood pressure sits at #2 among preventable causes of heart disease and stroke deaths, second only to smoking.
“Stroke is the number one cause of long term disability, resulting in loss of ability to work and complete activities of daily living,” said Dr. Michael Taormina, Neurologist with The Neurological Center of East Georgia, P.C., and stroke champion at East Georgia Regional Medical Center. “For example, more than half of stroke survivors aged 65 years and older have impaired ability to walk. Stroke, however, also affects younger people as well. Data first collected in 2009 showed that 34% of stroke patients were under under the age of 65.”
While conditions like stroke, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes share many similar causes, complications and treatments, a stroke is technically a condition affecting the brain. Also known as a “brain attack,” stroke occurs when an artery to the brain is either blocked or it bursts, preventing the brain from getting the blood it needs and causing cells to die. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming more than 130,000 lives each year. And while advancing age is certainly a contributing risk factor, in recent years more than 30% of those hospitalized for stroke are under age 65.
As part of the medical and research communities’ efforts to address these health epidemics, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology joined other organizations in the fall of 2017, releasing a set of new hypertension guidelines for the first time in 14 years.
Blood pressure categories in the new guideline are:
- Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg;Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80;
- Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89;
- Stage 2: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg;
- Hypertensive crisis: Systolic over 180 and/or diastolic over 120 – call your doctor immediately if your pressure falls into this range, even if only periodically
In addition to other basic lifestyle modifications, like being moderately active at least 30 minutes each day, quitting smoking, and eating a largely plant-based, whole foods diet, according to a recent article published on the National Cancer Institute website, new evidence indicates one should avoid open-flame cooking of foods like meat, fish or poultry. Instead, opt for healthier methods like baking, steaming or sautéing.
In honor of National Stroke Awareness Month, be sure to spread the word about how to recognize and respond to someone who might be suffering from stroke symptoms – speed of treatment is absolutely critical to reducing the impact to brain cells, and to the potential for recovery. The medical community has adopted the acronym “F.A.S.T.”, which stands for: Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Speech Difficulty, Time to Call 911. If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or someone else, don’t delay – call 9-1-1 immediately and stay with the patient until help arrives.
For more information about your personal stroke risk, contact your primary care provider and schedule an appointment to help you craft a prevention plan.
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