If You are Obese What are Your Risks of a Stroke?
Although obesity can have a negative impact on self-esteem, its impact on overall health is often much worse. Obesity increases the risk of many health issues, including stroke. Those who are obese and have struggled to lose weight unsuccessfully through diet and exercise may find a successful route through bariatric surgery.
Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
A stroke occurs when plaque within an artery or leaking or bursting of a blood vessel reduces or stops the flow of blood to a portion of the brain. When blood flow is reduced or stopped, oxygen and nutrients cannot reach the brain. Without sufficient oxygen or nutrients, brain cells will die, causing these possible signs and symptoms:
- Difficulty speaking
- Confusion or difficulty understanding speech
- Visual disturbances in one or both eyes
- Numbness, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the body or face
- Sudden, severe headache
- Loss of balance, dizziness, or difficulty walking
Obesity and the Risk of Ischemic Stroke
Obesity puts stress on the body, making those who are obese particularly vulnerable to suffering from a stroke. Many obese people experience trans ischemic attacks (TIAs), also called mini-strokes. When someone suffers a TIA, the likelihood of suffering a full-blown ischemic stroke increases. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States.
Reducing the Risk of Stroke
The post-surgery lifestyle to which bariatric patients must commit reduces the risk of stroke in several ways. First is the surgery itself, either restrictive in nature or restrictive and malabsorptive, which helps patients reduce weight along with their body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. To maintain a healthy weight, patients must eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, lean meats and high-fiber grains.
The third component is increasing physical activity through exercise. To reduce size and fat distribution. Bariatric surgery can help those who struggle with obesity achieve a healthy weight and lifestyle. By physically reducing the size of the stomach, weight-loss surgery significantly reduces the amount of food that can be eaten, helping those who struggle with obesity achieve a healthy weight.
Bariatric surgery also helps those whose weight makes it difficult to be active to be more mobile by putting them on the fast track to weight loss. As bariatric surgery helps patients lose weight and become more active, it can significantly improve overall health, helping to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and prevent obstructive sleep apnea, all of which can help lower the risks.
Find out How Bariatric Surgery Can Reduce Your Risk of Stroke
Losing weight isn't just about looking and feeling good, it's about being healthy. The time has come to take control of your health. Don’t struggle with obesity any longer. To learn how bariatric surgery can help improve your health and reduce your risk of stroke, please contact our team at the Tijuana Bariatric Center by calling 800-970-0577. Scheduling a virtual consultation will help you learn about the weight-loss surgery available to you.
