by Alexis Cala, PICurrent Assistant Producer
Courtesy of Compujeramy
If you can’t leave your neighborhood without seeing one drive-thru restaurant after another, you and your family may be at great risk for health problems, even stroke.
A recent study found that living in areas with a large number of fast food restaurants may increase your chance of having a stroke. According to the research, the risk of stroke actually increased 1 percent for each fast food restaurant in a neighborhood. Some areas may have as many as 33 fast food restaurants! People living in these neighborhoods are 13 percent more likely to have a stroke than those living in areas with the lowest number of restaurants (read the full story on U.S. News and World Report).
Of course, while the fast food signs may be ugly, they can’t really be the cause. But the easy and frequent access to these fast food joints may.
While the research shows a link, it does not prove that fast food restaurants raise your risk of stroke. But it should be enough proof to increase stroke prevention programs and get people thinking about their mental and physical health. How many drive-thru joints are near your home?
Stroke is the nation’s third leading cause of death.
According to the American Heart Association, every year there are 700,000 strokes in the U.S. A majority of these are the result of clogged blood vessels. Something fast food has become famous for.
Fortunately, there are several studies suggesting that diet and lifestyle changes can greatly reduce your risk of stroke. Check out our previous post on how a simple blood test can tell you a lot about your risk for stroke, here.
The National Stroke Association recommends that you:
- Know your blood pressure: this is the leading cause of strokes
- Find out if you have atria fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
- Don’t smoke: smoking doubles your risk of stroke
- Drink alcohol in moderation: 2 drinks per day may reduce your risk
- Know your cholesterol: if it’s over 200, talk to your doctor
- Are you diabetic? Controlling your diabetes may lower your risk for stroke.
- Exercise and diet: low sodium/fat diet can lower blood pressure
- Circulation problems
- Know the symptoms!
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any sudden…
- Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body
- Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Severe headache with no known cause
For more information, please visit:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Olene,
Glad we could help! This is certainly one of those things to consider when you pull into the drive-thru. While a burger now and then won’t necessarily hurt, making a conscious choice to eat healthy and be healthy is a big step in the right direction!
If you would like more information about nutritious food, how to make better choices at the grocery store, and even how to cook a little healthier, head on over to The Beehive’s healthy living section: http://thebeehive.org/health/healthy-living/
Thanks for your comment!