According to Doctor Le Nhat Duy from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital at Ho Chi Minh City - Campus 3, stroke is becoming increasingly common among young people, leading to serious health consequences and impacting their lives. However, many young individuals remain complacent and lack awareness of risk factors and preventive measures.
The risk of stroke in young people is increasing due to underlying conditions such as cerebrovascular malformations, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Unhealthy lifestyles, including smoking, substance abuse, lack of physical activity, stress, and sleep deprivation, along with other factors like contraceptive use, genetics, ethnicity, and low socioeconomic status, also contribute to increased risk.
Early recognition of stroke symptoms like weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, dizziness, severe headache, visual disturbances, or trouble swallowing is crucial. Immediate emergency medical assistance is essential for timely intervention, minimizing long-term effects, and improving the chances of recovery.
To effectively prevent stroke in young people, Doctor Bui Pham Minh Man from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital at Ho Chi Minh City - Campus 3 outlines the following principles:
Building a healthy lifestyle:
Maintaining a healthy diet: Limit saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol intake. Avoid fast food, processed foods, greasy foods, salty foods, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and carbonated drinks. Increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Add fish, whole grains, and nuts to your diet. Drink plenty of water.
Regular exercise: Engage in regular physical activity for 30 minutes daily or at least 150 minutes weekly with moderate-intensity exercises.
Activities like brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling improve cardiovascular health and blood circulation, reducing stroke risk. Research suggests that 150 minutes of cardio per week can decrease stroke risk by 25%. Weight training and bodyweight exercises help maintain muscle mass, support blood circulation, and enhance blood pressure control. Yoga and Pilates maintain body flexibility, reduce stress, and lower the risk of injuries.
Adequate sleep: Ensure 7-8 hours of sleep each night, maintaining a regular sleep schedule to regulate your circadian rhythm.
Positive mindset: Limit stress and prolonged tension. Participate in relaxing and healthy recreational activities like meditation.
Limiting stimulants:
No smoking: Actively quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
Moderate alcohol consumption: Limit alcohol intake to moderate levels, not exceeding two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
Avoid drugs and other stimulants.
Managing underlying health conditions:
Blood pressure control: Regularly monitor blood pressure and seek timely treatment for hypertension.
Cholesterol management: Undergo regular health checkups to monitor cholesterol levels and adjust diet and lifestyle accordingly.
Blood sugar control: If you have diabetes, adhere to your doctor's treatment plan and maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Cardiovascular disease treatment: Actively treat any cardiovascular conditions to reduce the risk of blood clot formation.
Maintaining a healthy weight: Avoid being overweight or obese. Keep your body mass index (BMI) within a healthy range. Combine diet and exercise to lose weight if necessary.
Regular health checkups: Get regular checkups every 6 months. Participate in stroke screening programs to detect risk factors and any abnormalities early.
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