Strokes aren't inevitable! In fact, there are many things that you can do to prevent a stroke.

May was World Stroke Month, and that's why, in our last blog, our senior housing experts in Elk Horn went over the common warning signs of a stroke. Like most things, strokes are much easier to prevent than they are to treat, and there are many things that you can do to prevent a stroke. The following is a list of lifestyle changes that can lower your risk for getting a stroke:

#1. Lower Your Blood Pressure

In both men and women, high blood pressure contributes more to your risk of getting a stroke than anything else, which makes lowering your blood pressure incredibly important. To lower your blood pressure, reduce your salt intake, avoid foods that have high cholesterol, quit smoking and eat more fruits and vegetables.

#2. Lose Weight

If you are overweight, it puts you at a higher risk for getting high blood pressure and a stroke. Even losing just 10 pounds could significantly lower your risk for getting a stroke.

#3. Exercise

Not only will exercise help you to lower your blood pressure and lose weight, it is also a good standalone lifestyle change for lowering your stroke risk.

#4. Stop Smoking

Smoking can actually speed up the formation of blood clots because it increases the amount of plaque in the arteries and it also thickens the blood. If you stop smoking, you could dramatically reduce your risk for getting a stroke.

#5.  Treat Your Diabetes

If you have diabetes, it's important to take your treatment seriously. If your blood sugar is high for an extended period of time, it weakens the blood vessels, which makes it easier for clots to form.