Stroke is something you can avoid

(The Seattle Times) — To hear boomers talk, their greatest health fear associated with aging is Alzheimer’s disease.

The benefit of adding 20 years to the life span in the last century is overshadowed, they say, by an awareness that one in two people will end up with some form of dementia.

But these boomers are ignoring a more serious health problem they can control, says Dr. Orly Avitzur, medical adviser to Consumer Reports Health and a neurologist.

“Stroke is the No. 1 cause of disability in the United States and a more common condition to have,” she says. “It is also the No. 3 cause of death and should be in the forefront of our concerns.”

As Avitzur points out, little can be done, at this point, to stave off Alzheimer’s. “But a person can make profound lifestyle and medical changes that will reduce the risk of stroke by 80 percent.”

Consumer Reports Health cites 11 strategies for stroke prevention as part of National Stroke Awareness Month in May.

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