Did you know that someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds?¹ Despite how common this medical emergency is, the good news is that 80% of all strokes are preventable.² In honor of National Stroke Awareness Month this month, here are a few tips that can help you reduce your risk and information on how LifeMap can help:  

1. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet is a good way to reduce your risk of having a stroke. Avoiding high cholesterol foods such as ice cream and pizza, and reducing your sodium intake to no more than 1,500 daily milligrams can help lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk of stroke.³ Similarly, increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy can also help.⁴

2. Get moving

Exercise may sound like a chore when you have a busy lifestyle, but setting aside a few minutes a day to stay active can significantly reduce your chances of having a stroke. A study of nearly 40,000 women revealed that walking for just 20 minutes a day for an entire year can reduce your risk by 30%.⁵

3. Recognize the warning signs

Time is critical when it comes to preventing damage caused by a stroke, and knowing the symptoms can help you seek help as quickly as possible. The American Stroke Association recommends that you use the acronym FAST to recognize the symptoms: Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Speech Difficulty and Time to call 911.⁶

4. Protect yourself against the unexpected

LifeMap has both individual and group critical illness plans to keep you covered in case of a stroke or any other critical illness covered under the premium. Applying for coverage is easy and requires individuals to answer only a few simple medical questions. Employees also have the option to purchase the plan for themselves and family members. The policy pays a lump-sum benefit for a variety of injuries, illnesses and trips to the hospital. Visit our website to learn more about our available options.