Living Well

Every nine minutes someone suffers a stroke, and sadly one in three will die. But around 80 per cent of these cases could be avoided with a few lifestyle changes.

QUIT SMOKING

Smokers are at a greater risk of stroke because smoking increases blood thickness and the amount of plaque that builds up in your arteries. Ditching cigarettes is one of the most significant changes you can make to avoid experiencing a stroke.

EXERCISE

Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes increases your risk of stroke. Regular exercise, combined with a healthy diet, helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and makes controlling diabetes easier. Aim for 30 minutes of activity each day.

LIMIT ALCOHOL INTAKE

Heavy drinking raises your blood pressure, increases your risk of an irregular heartbeat, makes controlling insulin levels difficult and can also damage your liver. These are all medical red flags when it comes to an increased risk of stroke.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT

Carrying high amounts of body fat puts you in the highrisk category for a stroke. Following a heart-healthy diet and controlling your portion sizes and snacking is the best way to get your weight down and keep it down.

TREAT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition resulting in an irregular heartbeat. Because AF causes the heart to beat inefficiently blood is able to pool in the heart chambers and form clots, raising your risk of stroke. Be guided by your doctor or specialist to keep AF under control.

An Aussie study has found that bowel cancer is estimated to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in women aged 25 to 34 and men aged 30 to 34. The data supports Bowel Cancer Australia’s push to have the screening age lowered from

50 to 45 through their Never2Young campaign. With bowel cancer killing 108 people every week, Bowel Cancer Australia wants to stress that this is not an old person’s disease and young people need to be aware of bowel cancer symptoms too – a change in bowel habits or appearance, digestive upsets, bloody stools, anaemia, abdominal pain or discomfort, or a feeling of the bowel not emptying completely after going to the toilet are all symptoms to watch for.