February was officially Heart Month and many set their focus on heart awareness and health. Naturally, Star Wellness® joined in.
Working Together
Like the heart, the mind is vital in living a productive life. Neither can function without the other. The heart depends on the brain to give it the continued signal that is needed for pumping the blood to the rest of the body. And the brain depends on the heart’s pumping ability to give it the blood and oxygen needed in order to continue operating the body properly. They are a team working together to keep you and I alive and well. A perfect team.
Opposing Elements
But what if one member of the team struggles? This is exactly what happens when a stroke occurs.
A blood clot can block a blood vessel or artery, stopping blood flow to an area of the brain or heart and cutting off vital supplies of oxygen. This lack of blood can cause damage to areas of the brain that control functions such as walking, thinking, talking and breathing or kill muscle in the heart.
What increases the risk of these blood clots and serves as an opponent to the the perfect team?
High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy fat in the blood stream that is found in all of your body’s cells. Your body naturally makes all the cholesterol it needs to form things like cells, vitamin D or some hormones. Certain foods such as egg yolks, fried foods or tropical oils contain cholesterol and saturated fats that increase blood cholesterol levels. Plaque build-up in the arteries from high levels of cholesterol also can block blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke or to the heart and cause a heart attack.
So what increases cholesterol levels?
- Foods high in saturated fat
- Excess body weight
- Lack of exercise
- Family history
- Age (Most people experience an increase following the age of 65)
- Gender (Women under age 50 tend to have lower cholesterol and those in menopause have higher levels)
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects a person’s ability to move blood sugar, or glucose, out of the blood and into the cells – where it is used as the body’s primary source of fuel. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of having high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart attacks. Which ultimately increases their risk of having a stroke.
Keep The Team Strong
Every year, more than 795,000 Americans have a stroke or “brain attack” leaving many with disabilities. The great news is that 80 percent of strokes are preventable with a screening. Being tested for high cholesterol and diabetes is also quick and easy. Nothing is more worthy of our time than making sure your body’s “perfect team” is taken care of.
You don’t have to stay at risk; Use Star Access to schedule a preventive screening today.
Statistics via National Stroke Association
