1. Do All You Can to Lower Your Blood Pressure
Hemorrhagic stroke involves a hemorrhage within the brain. A blood vessel bursts, resulting in increased pressure in the brain due to too much blood pushing on the brain tissue. It's essentially the opposite of an ischemic stroke, in which the brain is denied the blood it needs to survive. Both types of strokes, however, count hypertension (or high blood pressure) as a significant risk factor. Keeping your blood pressure within the range of 120/80 is the goal to prevent a hemorrhagic stroke. To help lower your blood pressure, you can take anti-hypertensive medications prescribed by your doctor and take part in moderate cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week. Cutting back on your salt intake is a simple and direct way to lower blood pressure. In addition, avoiding trans-fat-laden foods like processed cakes, cookies and fried foods can help ward off obesity and reduce your blood pressure.
2. Treat Your Diabetes With Care
With the increase in diabetes among Americans comes an overall increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. As with ischemic strokes, diabetes and its destructive effects on blood vessels can add to the risk for hemorrhagic strokes. Some people with diabetes are unaware, or even in denial, of the seriousness of the disease. The good news is that the same dietary and lifestyle changes you make to reduce your blood pressure, as noted above, can also help control your blood sugar.
3. Keep Your Alcohol Consumption at a Moderate Level
As with ischemic strokes, excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of a burst blood vessel in the brain and a resulting hemorrhagic stroke. The general guideline for "acceptable" or "moderate" alcohol consumption is one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males. This may vary widely, however, depending on a particular person's ability to metabolize alcohol.
4. Don't Be Tempted by Cocaine or Other Amphetamines
Cocaine, in particular, has been implicated in some hemorrhagic strokes. Many illicit stimulants will increase your blood pressure, which will in turn raise your chances of having a blood vessel in the brain burst. Avoid this unnecessary risk by staying away from cocaine and other amphetamines.
5. Be Aware of the Side Effects of Anticoagulants and Similar Treatments
If your doctor has prescribed any type of blood thinners for you, he is probably trying to prevent clots that can lead to a heart attack or the more common ischemic stroke. Unfortunately, once the blood is thin, a ruptured blood vessel becomes a serious problem, as the blood cannot clot. Make sure you discuss this issue fully with your doctor if you're on an anticoagulant or related therapy. If you have other risk factors for a burst blood vessel, such as a family history of aneurysms or so-called arterial venous malformation (AVM), be sure to voice them so your doctor can then explore alternative medication options.
