Hypertension is the major risk factor for stroke, so it is advisable to monitor blood pressure regularly and consult a physician if blood pressure is above 140 max or above 90 min during several resting bouts.
Biological Mechanisms of Stroke
Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on blood vessels as it circulates. Hypertension means that too much blood flow can damage the vessels.
Cholesterol levels, particularly LDL-Cholesterol, should be less than 1.6g/l. To reduce the risk of stroke, it is advisable to have this level monitored every 5 years.
The two molecules more specifically charged with cholesterol transport are LDL and HDL. LDL brings cholesterol to the cells, HDL recovers peripheral cholesterol and can bring it back to the liver. If more cholesterol is transported by LDL than the cells need, the unused LDL will settle on the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaques that decrease the diameter, promoting ischemic stroke. HDL, on the other hand, acts as a “cleanser” of blood vessels.
Smoking increases the risk of ischemic stroke twofold.
