A study published in the journal Neurology found that a quarter of older adults may suffer from so-called silent strokes, small areas of damaged brain cells that may contribute to memory loss, a symptom of Alzheimer's and dementia. This information shows how important it is that we take measures to prevent strokes therefore keeping our brains healthy and hopefully ward off memory problems as we age.
This study consisted of 658 men and women all age 65 or older. None of the subjects had been diagnosed with dementia or serious memory problems. 174 of these men and women showed evidence of silent strokes. Silent strokes do not cause any obvious symptoms.
To take care of your brain and hopefully lower the risk of stroke, work on the following steps:
- If you are a smoker, stop! If you don't smoke, don't start! Smokers definitely have an increased risk of stroke and Alzheimer's.
- Get regular exercise and do your best to maintain a healthy weight.
- Keep your blood pressure under control. This is where diet comes in. Avoid or reduce the amount of salt in your diet and follow any instructions from your doctor if you currently have high blood pressure.
- Lower your cholesterol levels. High levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol are associated with stroke risk. Again, your diet is key here. Follow doctor's orders and make necessary dietary changes!
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