Stroke is a medical emergency that many adult children fear for their parents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke is responsible for 140,000 deaths in the United States each year. It is also the number one cause of long-term disability. In fact, the CDC says that about half of people over the age of 65 who suffer a stroke lose some mobility.

Because of how dangerous strokes are, it’s a good idea to do what you can to help your elderly parent to reduce their risk for stroke. There are many things that increase the risk of stroke, and a new study says that for older women, diet soda may be one of them.

Diet Soda Study

The 12-year study involved almost 82,000 women between the ages of 50 and 79. The women had enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative between 1993 and 1998. As part of the initiative, the women were asked about their consumption of diet sodas and diet fruit drinks, both of which contain artificial sweeteners.

Although the study did not prove that diet drinks cause strokes, the researchers did find a link with an increased risk of stroke. They found that women who drank 2 or more diet drinks per day had a 23 percent increased risk of stroke.

Other Stroke Risk Factors

While more research is needed into how drinking diet soda or fruit drinks impacts the risk of stroke, doctors have identified some known stroke risks.

Some of them are:

• Carrying excess weight.
• Being physically inactive.
• Heavy drinking of alcohol.
• High blood pressure.
• Smoking.
• High cholesterol.
• Diabetes.
• Sleep apnea.
• Family history of stroke.
• Cardiovascular disease.
• Being over the age of 55.
• Being of African-American descent.
• Being male.

While not all risk factors for stroke can be controlled, several of them can. Senior care can help with controllable risk factors. For example, a senior care provider can help your elderly parent to reach their weight loss goals by preparing healthy meals for them and helping them to be more physically active.

Senior care providers can also help to manage chronic conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes. A senior care provider can remind them to take their medications, drive them to medical appointments, and take them to the pharmacy to pick up medicine refills. Senior care providers can also assist with controlling sleep apnea by ensuring your parent uses their CPAP machine each night and helping them to keep it clean and germ free.

Sources:  https://www.webmd.com/women/news/20190214/could-diet-sodas-raise-older-womens-stroke-risk#1

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113

https://www.strokeassociation.org/-/media/stroke-files/lets-talk-about-risk-factors-for-stroke-ucm_309713.pdf?la=en&hash=19A31EF2419E43756C4B0208BBAC49CAD5BAD03E

https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Mooresville NC, please call the professional staff at Caring at Heart today at (704) 379-7510. Serving Charlotte, Statesville, Ballantyne, Mooresville, Huntersville, Matthews, Concord, Gastonia, Pineville and Indian Trail.