“This is what concerns me most about strokes.”
Dr. Winnie Lim Khoo, a specialist in cardiovascular and stroke research in the Philippines, shared:
“I have encountered many patients who underestimated episodes of lightheadedness and dizziness when standing up or sitting down. However, after medical examination, their cerebral blood vessels had actually already begun to develop atherosclerosis and had sustained serious damage.”
According to the doctor, the cerebral blood vessel system has to work continuously every day to:
But the alarming reality is:
Many people are unknowingly allowing fatty deposits to build up heavily in their cerebral blood vessels, putting them at risk of stroke every single day.
1/ EATING TOO MANY FRIED AND GREASY FOODS
Consuming large amounts of unhealthy fats can cause fatty deposits to build up along the artery walls, forming plaques that gradually thicken and narrow the passage carrying blood to the brain. If a plaque ruptures or breaks loose, it can trigger the formation of a blood clot that completely blocks a cerebral artery ➔ leading to stroke or cerebral infarction.
Excess sodium causes the body to retain more fluid in the bloodstream, which can increase blood pressure and place greater stress on blood vessels. When this pressure acts on cerebral arteries that are already stiffened or damaged ➔ the risk of a brain hemorrhage can increase, potentially causing severe neurological injury, coma, or death.
3/ SKIPPING BREAKFAST AND EATING TOO MANY SWEETS
This habit can contribute to unstable blood sugar levels, with sharp drops followed by sudden spikes. Over time, persistently high blood sugar can damage the inner lining of small blood vessels and make cerebral arteries stiffer and less flexible ➔ increasing the risk of cerebrovascular events, especially in people with prediabetes or poor blood sugar control.
4/ DRINKING TOO LITTLE WATER & BEING PHYSICALLY INACTIVE
When the body is dehydrated and physically inactive, blood circulation can slow and the blood may become more concentrated. During the early morning hours, changes in blood pressure, hormones, and platelet activity may also affect clot formation ➔ which can contribute to the risk of a blood clot blocking a cerebral artery and causing an ischemic stroke.
According to Dr. Winnie Lim Khoo:
“STROKE DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN OUT OF NOWHERE — IT IS FUELED BY FOUR EVERYDAY EATING HABITS THAT SEEM ‘HARMLESS."