Smoking and Tobacco Use
Smoking and using tobacco products increase blood pressure , heart rate , and cholesterol and cause plaque buildup . All of these can lead to a stroke .
If you smoke or use tobacco :
� Quit . Millions of people have quit smoking , and so can you .
� Ask your doctor or nurse for more information on quitting smoking .
Resources :
� Ohio Tobacco Quit Line 800-784-8669
� American Lung Association 800-586-4872
� American Cancer Society 800-227-2345
� www . smokefree . gov — offers tools and guidance from professionals to help you quit
High Blood Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy , fat-like substance that is found in your blood . It plays an important role in your body . Your liver makes cholesterol and it is also found in many foods . Cholesterol is carried through the blood on proteins called lipoproteins . Two main types of lipoproteins include :
Low-Density Lipoprotein ( LDL ) is often called the “ bad " cholesterol because it can build up on the walls of your blood vessels . A high LDL level increases the risk of stroke and heart disease . Once you have had a stroke , your risk for another stroke and heart disease is greater . You will be treated with cholesterol-lowering medication ( statins ) regardless of what your cholesterol level was before your stroke .
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High-Density Lipoprotein ( HDL ) is often called the “ good " cholesterol because it picks up excess cholesterol in your blood and takes it back to the liver . The liver then breaks it down and removes it from your body . Although we often hear about lowering our cholesterol , having higher levels of HDL cholesterol may help reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease .
� An HDL level above 60 mg / dL is ideal . �
For men , having below 40 mg / dL is considered undesirable .
� For women , an HDL level below 50 mg / dL is undesirable .
In addition to medication , talk to your doctor about ways to :
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Safely increase your activity Get to a healthy weight Quit smoking Make healthful changes to your diet
These lifestyle changes can improve your cholesterol levels . Talk to your doctor or a dietitian for more information on weight loss and a healthy diet .
Heart Disease
If you have heart disease or have had a heart attack or bypass surgery , you are at an increased risk for stroke . When plaque builds up in the vessels in your heart , the vessels in your brain are likely to have buildup as well .
You are also at an increased risk for stroke if you have :
� Atrial fibrillation � A valve replacement � Heart failure