About every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke – a leading cause of death and disability. So, Mercy Health – Lima has launched a new online tool to help community members evaluate their stroke risk. Patients can act now to lower that risk before it becomes a life-threatening event.
“More than 80% of strokes are preventable, so knowing your risk is the first big step in making sure you don’t experience one,” said Islam Tafish, M.D., endovascular neurologist, Mercy Health – Lima Neuro Intervention. “There are numerous ways you can lower stroke risk, from making healthy lifestyle changes to working with your health care provider to control certain risk factors.”
So, this Stroke Awareness Month, Mercy Health launched an online health risk assessment tool to better help patients and the community understand their risk of stroke. It’s available to anyone who’s interested in taking it, at no cost. The tool empowers users to explore their unique circumstances and offers possible options for treatment, self-care, and/or lifestyle changes.
Here’s how it works: After collecting general data about the user such as age and activity level, the assessment will ask questions about family history, diet, and other health issues you may have such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The user will then receive a detailed recommendation tailored to their specific circumstance. There will also be follow up from Mercy Health if the user requests it, but personal medical information is never shared.
“Knowledge is power. There are certainly things that make someone more susceptible to stroke such as your age or having a family history. You can’t change those things, but if you’re aware it’s predisposing you to a higher risk of stroke, you can take steps to alleviate the effects of that risk,” said Dr. Tafish.
Here are some simple ways you may be able to lower your risk and prevent a stroke:
- Quit smoking. The American Heart Association reports that for every five cigarettes a person smokes each day, their risk up having a stroke goes up 12%.
- Move more. Physical activity has been shown to lower cholesterol, help maintain a healthy weight, and lower blood pressure – all factors that can reduce stroke risk.
- Eat a healthy diet. Make sure to include more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while cutting back on foods that are high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and trans fats.
- Get regular check-ups. A health care provider can help you manage risk factors and modify unhealthy behaviors to lower your stroke risk and improve your long-term outlook.
Head to mercy.com to learn more about the stroke treatment and care we offer at Mercy Health – Lima or take the stroke risk assessment today at mercy.com/LimaStrokeQuiz.
“More than 80% of strokes are preventable, so knowing your risk is the first big step in making sure you don’t experience one,” said Islam Tafish, M.D., endovascular neurologist, Mercy Health – Lima Neuro Intervention. “There are numerous ways you can lower stroke risk, from making healthy lifestyle changes to working with your health care provider to control certain risk factors.”
So, this Stroke Awareness Month, Mercy Health launched an online health risk assessment tool to better help patients and the community understand their risk of stroke. It’s available to anyone who’s interested in taking it, at no cost. The tool empowers users to explore their unique circumstances and offers possible options for treatment, self-care, and/or lifestyle changes.
Here’s how it works: After collecting general data about the user such as age and activity level, the assessment will ask questions about family history, diet, and other health issues you may have such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The user will then receive a detailed recommendation tailored to their specific circumstance. There will also be follow up from Mercy Health if the user requests it, but personal medical information is never shared.
“Knowledge is power. There are certainly things that make someone more susceptible to stroke such as your age or having a family history. You can’t change those things, but if you’re aware it’s predisposing you to a higher risk of stroke, you can take steps to alleviate the effects of that risk,” said Dr. Tafish.
Here are some simple ways you may be able to lower your risk and prevent a stroke:
- Quit smoking. The American Heart Association reports that for every five cigarettes a person smokes each day, their risk up having a stroke goes up 12%.
- Move more. Physical activity has been shown to lower cholesterol, help maintain a healthy weight, and lower blood pressure – all factors that can reduce stroke risk.
- Eat a healthy diet. Make sure to include more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while cutting back on foods that are high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and trans fats.
- Get regular check-ups. A health care provider can help you manage risk factors and modify unhealthy behaviors to lower your stroke risk and improve your long-term outlook.
Head to mercy.com to learn more about the stroke treatment and care we offer at Mercy Health – Lima or take the stroke risk assessment today at mercy.com/LimaStrokeQuiz.