Page 8 May 2015 By Jeannine Hinds, M.D. Eighty percent of all strokes are preventable. It starts with managing key risk factors: • High blood pressure – This is the No. 1 cause of strokes – the single most important risk factor. If it’s consistently 140/90 or above, talk to your doctor about how to manage it. • Atrial fibrillation – In atrial fi brillation, the heart’s upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively. This causes the blood to pool and clot, increasing the risk of stroke. Medications may be used to control high blood pressure and/or manage atrial fibrillation among high-risk patients, including: • Antihypertensives: They can lower blood pressure by opening the blood vessels, decreasing blood volume or decreasing the rate and/or force of heart contraction. • Anticoagulants or antiplatelets: Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin, and anticoagulants, such as warfarin, interfere with the blood’s ability to clot and can help prevent a stroke. • Cigarette smoking – Using tobacco damages blood vessels. Don’t smoke. Avoid second-hand smoke. • Diabetes – Diabetes increases your risk of stroke because it can cause diseased blood vessels in the brain. • High blood cholesterol – This increases the risk of blocked arteries. If an artery leading to the brain becomes blocked, a stroke can result. To open blockages, medical procedures may be needed: • Carotid endarterectomy: This surgery removes blockages of fatty plaque from the carotid arteries in the neck. The carotid arteries supply most of the blood to your brain. • Angioplasty or stents: Doctors sometimes use balloon angioplasty and implantable steel screens called stents to help open a blocked blood vessel. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) – Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce the risk of a major stroke. TIAs produce stroke-like symptoms but have no lasting effects. Seek emergency medical treatment immediately. — Jeannine Hinds, M.D., 4131 N. 24th St., Suite B102, Phoenix, 602-955-6632. How to prevent a stroke HEALTHY TIDBITS FREE City Ready Blueprints with any room addition* *$1500 limit 2500 E Thomas Rd, Suite 103 Phoenix AZ 85016 Gain an elite education in leadership. Conceived in the military and applied to the business world, this program introduces advanced competencies to young leaders. These five day camps are packed with fun, engaging and inclusive workshops. Lead and support teams as you compete in real-time strategy simulations; develop the foundation that will give you an edge in school, college or work! 2015 Advanced Leadership Camps Leadership Development for Young Leaders – Ages 15-20 EXECUTIVE COMMAND® PRESENTS: June 1 – August 14, 2015 1500 N. Priest Suite 123 Tempe, AZ 85281 Register today. Call (480) 251-3147 or visit: executive-command.com
ArcadiaRealEstate.com BILTMORE LIFESTYLES REAL ESTATE Tucker Blalock 602.ARCADIA $ 5 & $ ' , $· 6 2 : 1 ACC Golf Course Stunner 5748 E ORANGE BLOSSOM LANE PHOENIX, AZ 85018 6 UVOOJOH DMBTTJDSBODIIPNFTJUVBUFEPOUIFmSTUUFFPGUIFIJHIMZTPVHIU BGUFS"SJ[POB$PVOUSZ$MVC5IJTIPNFIBTCFFONFUJDVMPVTMZDBSFEGPS 8BMLJOUPQBOPSBNJDWJFXTPGUIFHPMGDPVSTFBOE$BNFMCBDL.PVOUBJO:PVXJMM mOEEFUBJMTTVDIBTDPGGFSFEDFJMJOHTJOUIFMJWJOHSPPNBOENBTUFSCFESPPN TPMJENBQMFIBSEXPPEnPPST 1FMMBXJOEPXT BOEVQEBUFECBUISPPNT5IFLJUDIFO CPBTUTBDPNNFSDJBMEPVCMFPWFOHBTSBOHFXJUITFQBSBUFCSPJMFSBOEDVTUPN IPPE DVTUPNDBCJOFUT HSBOJUFDPVOUFSUPQT BCVUDIFSCMPDLJTMBOE BOE TUBJOMFTTTUFFMBQQMJBODFT5IJTMVTIMPUXJUINBUVSFUSFFTBOENVMUJQMFQBUJPTBMMPXT GPSHSFBUFOUFSUBJOJOH-PDBUFEKVTUTUFQTGSPNUIF$MVCBOEPOMZUXPNJOVUFT GSPN7FSJUBT1SFQBSBUPSZ"DBEFNZ4DIPPM UIJTDIBSNFSXPOUMBTUMPOH 2,957 SQ.FT. | 3 BED / 3 BATH + OFFICE | $1,044,000