Strokes remain one of the most sudden and devastating health events in adult life, but a growing body of research suggests they are also among the most preventable. A study highlighted by Radio Canada is now urging Canadians to rethink everyday choices that may quietly increase the risk of stroke, while offering hope through realistic, achievable lifestyle changes.
Top of the list is controlling high blood pressure. Often called the “silent killer,” elevated blood pressure may quietly damage arteries in the brain for years before triggering a stroke. What’s alarming is how many people are unaware they have it. According to vascular neurologist Dr. Aleksandra Pikula, people often discover they’re at risk only after a serious episode. Routine checkups and simple medication can dramatically reduce these dangers.
The research reviewed over 20 years of global health data and revealed strong links between stroke and several overlapping health challenges. Poor sleep, elevated cholesterol, smoking, and physical inactivity are among the contributors that can add up over time. But what’s encouraging is that each of these can be reversed or reduced through consistent, mindful effort. Even moderate exercise like brisk walking, cycling, or joining a local fitness class could double as protection for the brain.
Another key takeaway is the value of mental and emotional well-being. Chronic stress, loneliness, and untreated depression have been found to influence physical health far more than previously understood. Social withdrawal and isolation may be early warning signs, while building community ties and staying engaged could provide protective effects that extend far beyond the heart.
Dr. Anthony Levinson, a brain health specialist at McMaster University, says that while strokes can strike quickly, the damage leading up to them often builds over decades. That’s why prevention starting in one’s 40s or 50s is so powerful. But he emphasizes that change is possible at any age. People who begin making better lifestyle decisions in mid-life can meaningfully reduce their risk and live fuller, healthier lives.
This new generation of stroke prevention research reminds us that safeguarding the brain does not require radical reinvention. It starts with movement, awareness, connection, and care. For Canadians concerned about aging well, these aren’t just habits. They may be the most important decisions of all.
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