How to Prevent Cerebrovascular Disease

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood that contains oxygen from the heart to all parts of the body. Cerebrovascular disease affects arteries that supply the brain. Any condition that blocks or disrupts blood flow to the brain can cause cerebrovascular disease. Brain cells that lose blood supply start to die within minutes (stroke). Stroke is the main danger of cerebrovascular disease.

Atherosclerosis and high blood pressure are common causes of cerebrovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is narrowing and hardening of an artery that results when fat, cholesterol, calcium, or other substances (plaque) build up inside an artery. Plaque reduces blood flow through the artery. High blood pressure increases the risk of bleeding inside the brain.

Making diet and lifestyle changes to prevent atherosclerosis and high blood pressure lowers your risk of cerebrovascular disease.

What nutrition changes can be made?

• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Reduce how much saturated fat you eat. To do this, eat less red meat and fewer full-fat dairy products.
• Eat healthy proteins instead of red meat. Healthy proteins include:
  • Fish. Eat fish that contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, twice a week. Examples include salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, and herring.
  • Chicken.
  • Nuts.
  • Low-fat or nonfat yogurt.
• Avoid processed meats, like bacon and lunchmeat.
• Avoid foods that contain:
  • A lot of sugar, such as sweets and drinks with added sugar.
  • A lot of salt (sodium). Avoid adding extra salt to your food, as told by your health care provider.
  • Trans fats, such as margarine and baked goods. Trans fats may be listed as “partially hydrogenated oils” on food labels.
• Check food labels to see how much sodium, sugar, and trans fats are in foods.
• Use vegetable oils that contain low amounts of saturated fat, such as olive oil or canola oil.

What lifestyle changes can be made?

• Drink alcohol in moderation. This means no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
• If you are overweight, ask your health care provider to recommend a weight-loss plan for you. Losing 5–10 lb (2.2–4.5 kg) can reduce your risk of diabetes, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure.
• Exercise for 30‒60 minutes on most days, or as much as told by your health care provider.

• Do moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, bicycling, and water aerobics. Ask your health care provider which activities are safe for you.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.

Why are these changes important?

Making these changes lowers your risk of many diseases that can cause cerebrovascular disease and stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability. Making these changes also improves your overall health and quality of life.

What can I do to lower my risk?

The following factors make you more likely to develop cerebrovascular disease:

• Being overweight.
• Smoking.
• Being physically inactive.
• Eating a high-fat diet.
• Having certain health conditions, such as:
  • Diabetes.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Heart disease.
  • Atherosclerosis.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Sickle cell disease.

Talk with your health care provider about your risk for cerebrovascular disease. Work with your health care provider to control diseases that you have that may contribute to cerebrovascular disease. Your health care provider may prescribe medicines to help prevent major causes of cerebrovascular disease.

Where to find more information

Learn more about preventing cerebrovascular disease from:

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/stroke
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/stroke/about.htm

Summary

• Cerebrovascular disease can lead to a stroke.
• Atherosclerosis and high blood pressure are major causes of cerebrovascular disease.
• Making diet and lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of cerebrovascular disease.
• Work with your health care provider to get your risk factors under control to reduce your risk of cerebrovascular disease.