Strokes are occurring among Barbadians about ten years earlier than previously seen.
And Medical director of the Cardiac Disease Prevention and Rehabilitation Programme of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), Dr Dawn Scantlebury, is urging people to take greater care of their health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
“The age at which that first stroke occurs is getting younger. So typically, you’ll think of a stroke occurring in someone in their 70s and 80s and now we’re looking at 60s to 70s as the peak age for stroke . . .,” she said.
“So the top eight things that you can do to reduce your risk of stroke, is to look at your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Stop smoking or don’t start smoking, eat healthily, increase your physical activity and maintain a healthy weight,” Scantlebury advised, adding that sleep was also important.
A lack of sleep has been proven to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
She was speaking on Saturday at the HSFB pop-up showcase at the Ann Gill Memorial Methodist Church, Fairfield, St Michael in celebration of World Stroke Day. (Nation News)