Every year more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. Out of these, many strokes prove to be fatal.
The relation between obesity and strokes has been a major subject of several studies for many years now. Although the risk of a stroke increases with age, it has been seen that many people who suffer from a stroke each year also suffer from either obesity or other obesity-related disorders.
Symptoms of a Stroke
Understanding the various warning signs and symptoms of a stroke is critical to ensure quick medical treatment. Some of the symptoms include:
- Numbness or tingling sensation in any part of the body or face
- Severe, unexplained headaches
- Unexplained weakness or dizziness
- Trouble in expressing ideas or pronouncing simple words
- A sudden fall
- Difficulty in understanding simple words or questions
- Losing vision – partly or completely
Each of these signs indicate a medical emergency. If you experience any such symptoms, visit a hospital immediately.
Your Weight and Stroke Risk
While doctors agree that certain people are more prone to having a stroke, they also suggest that maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle can lower the risk in several cases. Repeated studies have shown that each unit increase in BMI is associated with an increased risk of stroke to some extent.
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The brain relies heavily on the carotid arteries and vertebral arteries in the neck for its blood flow. High blood pressure is considered to be the leading cause of stroke along with other contributing factors such as diabetes, sleep apnea, heart enlargement, and metabolic disorders. Obese people are highly prone to all these medical conditions, and this can affect the proper functioning of the circulatory system.
As a result, the blood flow to the brain gets constricted, increasing inflammation and adding stressors to the blood vessel walls. A strong indicator that obese people are at a higher risk of getting a stroke.
A Bariatric Solution
In such a scenario, many obese patients are undergoing bariatric surgery to reduce the risk of obesity-related disorders. A weight loss surgery is known to drastically reduce the risk of strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.
In fact, bariatric surgery for diabetes is becoming increasingly popular as it can reduce the risk of obesity-related disorders and strokes.
Any bariatric procedure has the potential to help patients achieve their long-term goals of maintaining a healthy weight. However, patients must ensure to take proper precautions post-surgery, and undergo the procedure only under the strict guidance of the top obesity surgeons who have years of experience in performing several bariatric procedures and transforming the lives of patients.
