How to Lower Your Risk of Stroke With Regular Heart Checkups

In the United States, roughly 140,000 people die of stroke each year. Of those who survive, approximately 60% end up living with permanent disabilities. Fortunately, you can take action to address this serious threat to your health.

Getting regular heart checkups at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC is the first step toward preventing a potentially deadly stroke. Our skilled team helps you understand and manage your individual risk factors, offering personalized guidance and support every step of the way.

Don’t leave your heart health to chance. This month, explore proactive strategies to protect your cardiovascular system and lower your risk of stroke.

Understanding your risk

A stroke occurs when part of the brain doesn’t receive enough blood, either due to a clot that’s blocking a blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or a burst and bleeding blood vessel in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Without sufficient blood flow, brain cells can begin to die rapidly, causing serious and lasting effects.

Chronic conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, and arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat) can increase the likelihood of dangerous clots forming or blood vessels rupturing in the brain. 

A variety of factors can contribute to these conditions and to your overall stroke risk. Some, like age or genetic predisposition, are out of your control. Others are often related to lifestyle choices, such as smoking or vaping, a lack of physical exercise, and a diet high in sodium, sugar, or unhealthy fats.

Heart health checkups: what to expect

Regular checkups are important for everyone, whether you have known cardiovascular issues or not. During your annual physical exam, we discuss your health in detail, review your medical history, and measure your weight, body mass index (BMI), heart rate, and blood pressure.

Depending on your age and other risk factors, we may order lab tests to measure cholesterol or blood glucose levels. If our assessments indicate an underlying condition such as heart disease or diabetes, you’ll need more specialized cardiac testing to determine your specific stroke risk. This may include vascular testing, electrocardiogram (EKG), or echocardiogram (echo testing).

Your personalized stroke prevention plan

Routine exams and testing provide valuable insights into your heart health that help us create a plan to lower your risk of stroke. Based on your specific needs and personal risk factors, your prevention plan could include:

• Dietary recommendations, like reducing sodium intake or switching red meat for lean protein
• Tips for increasing your activity level safely
• Medication to control conditions like high blood pressure or cholesterol, if necessary 
• Stress reduction techniques
• Help with quitting smoking

Your regular checkups allow us to monitor any existing conditions and adjust your plan as needed to make sure it remains effective as your health evolves. Our team provides ongoing support and guidance at every stage of your life, providing the tools and knowledge you need to proactively manage your cardiovascular health.

Learn more about your personal stroke risk and what you can do to protect yourself. Contact Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, to book an appointment with our cardiology experts.