Few events can be as detrimental for aging longevity as a stroke, which occurs when a blood clot prevents oxygen from reaching certain parts of the brain. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 795,000 people across the country suffer a stroke every year, and the longer these incidents go untreated, the more damaging they can be.
The good news is that stroke, much like heart disease, may be preventable simply by making a few lifestyle changes. Avoiding foods that are high in saturated fats and sodium, for example, can help stop the accumulation of arterial plaque that is linked to these conditions. In addition, a recent study has revealed that men and women in Houston may be able to protect themselves from a stroke just by engaging in physical activity.
A press release from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, which helped fund the new research, states that researchers from the University of South Australia have determined that lack of exercise could increase the likelihood of stroke, and should be addressed in stroke awareness initiatives and treatment.
“Physical inactivity is a major modifiable risk factor for stroke. This should be emphasized in routine physician check-ups along with general education about the benefits of exercise on stroke risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes and being overweight or obese,” said senior author Virginia Howard, Ph.D, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Past research has indicated that physical activity can help older Americans retain their memory and other cognitive functions. For more guidance about this issue, including the benefits of treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy and medical weight loss in Houston, contact Longevity Centres of America today.