American Stroke Month: Reducing Your Risk
The National Stroke Association recognizes May as American Stroke Month, which is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s annual campaign to increase stroke awareness and to educate Americans that stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable. The observance also encourages providers and caregivers to band together to raise awareness of the simple prevention and treatment education options that can help reduce stroke incidence.
atom Alliance helps providers and practitioners develop strategies for reaching and educating patients to prevent heart attacks and strokes by ensuring the Cardiac ABCS:
- Appropriate aspirin therapy for those who need it
- Blood pressure control
- Cholesterol management
- Stop smoking
Several conditions and lifestyle choices can put people at higher risk for stroke. The most important risk factors are high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cigarette smoking, atrial fibrillation, and having had a prior stroke.
The good news is that the following steps can help reduce your risk for stroke:
- Eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and trans fat
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stay physically active each day
- Consume alcohol in moderation
- Prevent or treat diabetes
Medicare has helpful information about:
Cardiovascular disease behavioral therapy is available at: http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cardiovascular-disease-behavioral-therapy.html
Cardiovascular disease screening is available at: http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cardiovascular-disease-screenings.html
Smoking and tobacco cessation is available at: http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/smoking-and-tobacco-use-cessation.html
