Fresh guidelines for stroke prevention released by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA) have recommended the use of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy in patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, to lower the risk of stroke. The recommendations, updated after a decade, for the first time, talk about the potential of weight loss drugs in stroke prevention and gender-specific tips for preventing stroke in women.
The guidelines also emphasise on stroke prevention by adopting healthy lifestyle habits to tackle damages done by sedentary lifestyle. It urges healthcare professionals to screen people for risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar and obesity.
“Glucagon-like protein-1 receptor agonists have shown to be effective not only for improving management of type 2 diabetes but also for weight loss and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. On the basis of this robust recommendation, we provide a new recommendation for the use of these drugs in patients with diabetes and high cardiovascular risk or established cardiovascular disease,” read the guidelines published in the journal Stroke.
The use of weight loss drugs reduces the risk of obesity which can further translate into impressive benefits for overall health and this includes improved heart health, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. The new recommendations also take inputs from data released last year that found the weight loss drug Wegovy could reduce the risk of stroke. According to the study, overweight or obese patients who took the drug saw a 20% reduction in heart attack and stroke risk.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted after a vessel is blocked by a blood clot or ruptures. A stroke can cause brain damage which can lead to significant disability, including difficulty thinking, talking and walking.
What women need to do for stroke prevention
The guidelines talk about how women can prevent stroke by keeping in account gender-specific factors, be it the use of oral contraceptives or pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure or premature birth. The treatment of elevated blood pressure during pregnancy and within six weeks of delivery is crucial to reduce the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage, say the guidelines. It also lists other risk factors for women which include endometriosis, premature ovarian failure and early-onset menopause.
The note highlights that transgender women and people taking estrogens for gender affirmation may also be at an increased risk of stroke.
Lifestyle and dietary tips to prevent stroke
Here are the lifestyle modifications that the guidelines highlight:
When it comes to stroke prevention, lifestyle changes can play a crucial role. Walking, exercising, eating a low-sodium diet, and being active can help manage risk factors for stroke like blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol among others.
The guidelines suggest a Mediterranean-style diet, which has been shown to be effective in stroke prevention.
It also suggests an adult to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both. Sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor for stroke and physical activity.
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