When life gets rough, comfort foods are an easy go-to – but they might be setting us up for trouble. Strokes, for example, don’t make loud announcements; they creep in quietly, fuelled by high salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, every day, 225 South Africans die from stroke and heart disease, with ten people suffering a stroke every hour.
The power to steer clear is in our hands – small swaps, a little movement, and mindful choices can keep this hidden danger at bay and your health on track. Reducing your risk of stroke is essential for good health, and a key step is understanding your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Prevention, management, and recovery
Lizeth Kruger, clinic executive at Dis-Chem Pharmacies, explains that routine check-ups can help identify risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Early detection allows for effective management, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation states that about 80% of heart diseases and strokes are preventable.
Kruger notes that a balanced, heart-healthy diet is vital. She says, “Focus on fruits, whole grains, nuts, fish, and vegetables while limiting saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars.”
“Heart disease occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. These deposits are known as plaques and can narrow or completely block arteries, leading to heart attacks or strokes if untreated.”
She further explains that simple changes, like not using tobacco and moderating alcohol intake, can significantly lower cardiovascular risks.
“Smoking raises blood pressure, contributes to blood clots, and lowers good cholesterol levels.”
“Obesity and diabetes are major controllable risk factors. Proper management of diabetes is crucial, as uncontrolled levels can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.”
Lizeth Kruger
Kruger emphasises that chronic stress can lead to heart disease and stroke. Therefore, being active can save lives, like 30 minutes of exercise five days a week to boost heart health.
She further states that for stroke survivors, regular rehabilitation and holistic care are crucial. In addition to physical, speech, and occupational therapy, adherence to prescribed medications can support recovery. Emotional support from family and friends is also essential.
For more on strokes and how to prevent and manage them, Health For Mzansi shares insightful stories.
Strokes: Know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Caring for your body can prevent a lot of health complications. There’s a connection here: heart issues are prevalent among those with a history of stroke and can escalate during both the acute phase and the recovery period. Therefore, regular check-ups at the clinic could help extend your life.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone of stroke and heart disease prevention. Follow a balanced and heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat, sodium (salt), and added sugar. Eating fruits, whole grains, nuts, fish, poultry, and vegetables and limiting red and processed meats, can significantly reduce the risk of both conditions.
How a stroke can change your life in a blink of an eye
Learning to read, write, and speak from scratch is a heartbreaking journey, and for singer Lira, this became her reality after suffering a stroke in 2022. The stroke left her unable to communicate, robbing her of the ability to express herself and connect with the world around her.
A single stroke can turn a joyful meal into a plate of challenges filled with struggles – something Lira understands all too well. She shared her diagnosis of aphasia, a language disorder that deeply impacts one’s ability to communicate, making it difficult to understand or express both written and spoken language.
Dr Thabani Dlamini from Durban describes stroke as having a disturbance in the brain due to decreased blood (and oxygen), causing neurological problems such as one-sided body weakness and being unable to see, talk, or even walk.
Watch out Mzansi, strokes are merciless
If you examine what a stroke is, you’ll find connections to both the brain and cardiovascular health related to our lifestyle choices. How we live our lives today significantly impacts our risk of lifestyle diseases.
Strokes can be fatal; some individuals may pass away immediately, while others may survive but face a shortened life. However, those who are fortunate enough to recover often have a chance to improve their lives by making healthier lifestyle changes.
In this podcast episode, the president of the Neurological Association of South Africa (NASA) Dr Patty Francis unpacks:
- Why children are also at risk for having strokes.
- Different types of strokes.
- Silent symptoms of strokes and how you can identify them.
- Why time is of the essence in the treatment of a stroke.
Reduce your risk of a stroke before it’s too late
It’s frustrating to see how rising prices make it difficult for us to maintain a healthy lifestyle. While this isn’t an excuse, it can feel overwhelming for the struggling middle class. In Mzansi, access to nutritious food comes at a high cost. When awareness campaigns talk about lifestyle diseases and promote healthy eating, they often fail to address the challenges posed by rising food prices – this might be a significant part of the problem.
Learn how to eat well for good health.
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