Hundreds of thousands of people suffer from a stroke every single year, and most of those patients are over the age of 65. While some risk factors are completely out of your control, you can take quite a few steps to drastically improve your cardiovascular health. These five tips will reduce your stroke risk and help you avoid the many unwanted side effects of this cardiac event.

Walk for a Few Minutes Every Day

Unless your doctor has specifically told you to avoid strenuous activities, you should try to exercise for at least 150 minutes a week. Even walking around the block a few times a day will dilate your blood vessels and boost your heart health. Some other exercises that you might want to consider include hiking, riding a stationary bicycle, and taking a dance class.

Get More Sleep

While you are sleeping, your body flushes away the stress hormones that constrict your vessels and increase your blood pressure. Those who get under seven hours of sleep a night are much more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, chronic high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Sticking to a strict sleep schedule and avoiding stimulants later on in the day are two of the best ways to improve your sleep habits.

Consume Less Sodium

When you are younger and all of your organs are working at maximum efficiency, eating a large amount of sodium usually isn’t that big of a deal. As you grow older, however, a sodium-rich diet could begin to damage your cardiovascular system. As a general rule, you should try to limit your sodium intake to just 1,500 mg per day. You must also drink plenty of water so that your body can process that sodium.

Lower Your Stress Levels

Many different issues could be making your life more stressful than it needs to be, and you must find ways to mitigate those problems. If your money is tight, then you might want to contact a Social Security attorney to explore your options for additional benefits. A legal representative will help you push for maximum benefits so that you can focus on your physical health and well-being.

Quit Smoking

Very few habits are as bad for you as smoking cigarettes, and that is why you need to do everything in your power to quit as soon as possible. Using nicotine patches or gum might curb your cravings while you are weaning yourself off cigarettes. You might also benefit from joining a support group for ex-smokers.

If you believe that you or a loved one is having a stroke, then you must immediately call 9-1-1 or head to the emergency room. Recognizing and treating a stroke early on could prevent secondary health complications such as brain damage and partial paralysis.