Perfect Circulation for Perfect Health 

To have perfect health we must have perfect circulation. The intricate circulatory system that carries nutrients and oxygen to all of our tissues to keep them functioning properly, also carries waste products and toxins to be expelled from the body. When circulation is interrupted and this—out with the bad, in with the good—process is altered, damage to tissues will occur. Sometimes this results in debilitating conditions.  

Stroke is the result of some kind of disturbance in the flow of blood to the brain. There are two primary kinds of stroke.

1. Ischemic
2. Hemorrhagic 

Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is somehow blocked. This accounts for about 87 percent of all strokes.  The most common cause of blockage is a blood clot. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures.¹  

One other kind of stroke you may have heard of is a “mini stroke” or transient ischemic stroke or TIA. It has the symptoms of an ischemic stroke but they will subside fairly quickly, with some lasting for up to 24 hours. TIAs need to be take seriously. Even if symptoms subside it is important to visit the ER to get immediate help. Here are the common symptoms of a TIA.² 

• Difficulty seeing in both eyes 
• Numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs 
• Severe headache 
• Difficulty walking 
• Dizziness, loss of coordination and balance 
• Difficulty speaking or understanding words 

Risk Factors and Prevention of Stroke 

A few risk factors for stroke cannot be changed no matter how diligently we pursue and embrace a healthy lifestyle. Age, gender, and a family history of stroke are set in stone. However, there is a much longer list of modifiable risk factors we need to know about. 

By avoiding controllable hazards, we can take a huge bite out of our risk for ever having a life-altering stroke. 

When scientists study large groups of people to learn how to prevent disease, they investigate the influences surrounding those who live free from illness and then report their findings so we can avoid them as well. Some factors are reported so often that we can now say with certainty that they effect risk of stroke.  

High blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are commonly mentioned as factors that elevate stroke risk. Although there may be a genetic predisposition for these illnesses, we can be thankful that the bigger influence comes from our own decisions. This means we are empowered to take control of our health. 

The results from a large international case-control study brings home the need for a comprehensive approach to eliminate the risk of stroke. In this study data from 13,447 first stroke patients were compared to an equal number of people of the same age and gender with no history of stroke. The numbers below illuminate the specific areas that increase (+) or decrease (-) our susceptibility to stroke.³ 

• Hypertension = +150% 
• Cardiac issues (atrial fibrillation, valvular disease) = +194% 
• Heavy alcohol consumption = +114% 

• Psychological factors (stress, depression etc) = +106% 
• Smoking = +70% 
• High hip-to-waist ratio = +39% 
• High quality diet = -44% 
• Regular physical activity = -40% 

Start Small, Start Soon 

Just adopting the practices of consuming a high-quality diet and regular exercise will eliminate more than 80 percent of stroke risk for those who eat poorly and are sedentary. In addition, a whole-food unprocessed plant-based diet and habitual exercise will serve to reduce stroke fueling factors such as hypertension, cardiac issues, psychological factors, and high hip-to-waist ratio. 

There is an old adage in the business world: “Start small, start soon”. 

This principle applies well to health maintenance. Perhaps start with dietary improvements and progress from there. Each additional factor added will drive down risk of stroke.  

Establish Healthy Habits; Make Steady Progress and Don’t Give Up 

To eliminate or drastically reduce our odds of ever having a stroke, we need to address each risk factor. The beauty of this strategy is that human beings have a wonderful ability to adapt. A new lifestyle that incorporates higher levels of exercise, more diligent attention to diet, and intentional reduction of stress may be challenging at first. However, after not too long, perhaps even as short as a few months, new habits that dramatically boost our chances of living free of stroke can be firmly established.  

Most worthwhile endeavors require significant effort and they are characterized by an up and down experience. Hopefully, as we go along there will be more ups then downs and good habits will be established. Good habits are an essential part of lifestyle improvement. Motivation that stems from perhaps a negative report from the doctor or an ultimatum from a loved one can get us started, but even these catalysts will eventually fail us. Habits have deeper roots. They are hard to break and take effort to establish. 

Make steady progress and don’t give up. There will be times of disappointment, but these can be overcome with persistence. Please contact us if you would like to have further information about our program or to have a consultation with Dr. Anabel Facemire at dr.anabel@chooseanewheart.com. 

Stroke Risk Assessment 

Below you will find a quick stroke risk assessment tool. It takes just a minute or two to complete.⁴ This could be the two minutes that changes your life. Once your risk is known, then good plans can be made to find solutions for problem areas. We can help you make sound plans. Stroke avoidance and recovery from stroke can be accomplished. Please contact us using the information below. We look forward to collaborating with you to ensure a healthy, productive, and abundant future.  For more information or to have an appointment with Dr. Facemire, please visit us at provider.kareo.com/dr-anabel-facemire