To the Editor,

World Stroke Day is  Sunday, Oct. 29. This year’s theme is “What’s Your Reason for Preventing Stroke.” Stroke effects everyone – we all have a reason to prevent it. The effects of stroke on survivors can be devastating to a person’s body, mobility and speech, as well as how they think and feel.
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally. It can happen to anyone at any age, and impacts everyone: survivors, family and friends, workplaces and communities. From making individual changes, to advocating globally and locally for policies that will deliver healthier communities, we can all do something to prevent stroke.
Statistics show that globally there are 17 million strokes, 6.5 million deaths, and 26 million survivors. One in six will experience stroke in our lifetime. Ninety per cent of strokes are linked to 10 risks we can do something about.

 

1. Control high blood pressure
2. Do moderate exercises five times a week
3. Eat a healthy, balanced diet (high in vegetables and fruit, low in sodium)
4. Reduce your cholesterol
5. Maintain a healthy BMI or waist to hip ratio
6. Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke
7. Reduce alcohol intake (men: 2/day, women: 1/day)
8. Identify and treat atrial fibrillation
9. Reduce your risk from diabetes, talk to your doctor
10. Get educated about stroke
We can all do something to prevent stroke.
The Haliburton Highlands Stroke Support Group is raising the Stroke Recovery Canada/March of Dimes Canada flag at the Minden Municipal Office Friday, Oct. 27 at 10:30 a.m. Join us to celebrate World Stroke Day.

Lois Rigney
Chair of the Haliburton Highlands Stroke Support Group