Poor diet increases stroke risk, doctor warnsBy Wang Shan-yan and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writerA Chiayi doctor warned that a poor diet and a lack of exercise put those aged 40 or older at a high risk for stroke. If a person’s systolic blood pressure is higher than 140 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or their diastolic blood pressure is higher than 90mmHg, they should see a doctor, Huang said. In winter, the risk of stroke increases with intermittent cold spells, and big swings between daytime and nighttime temperatures, he said, adding that an unhealthy diet and lack of activity during the Lunar New Year holiday also heighten the risk. “Those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar are especially at risk, because they are more likely to have hardening of the arteries,” he said. To remember the signs of a stroke, people should remember the acronym FAST: face, arms, speech and time.
Source: Taipei Times February 20, 2021 15:56 UTC