Think F.A.S.T.: The Power of Prevention and Early Action Against Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or when there is sudden bleeding in the brain.¹ There are two main types of strokes: ischemic, which involves blocked blood vessels, and hemorrhagic, which involves internal bleeding.¹ Your brain is the central control centre of the body, so when blood flow is disrupted, it can have various effects on your body, including motor skills, speech, comprehension, memory, and more.² Neurons, the cells that make up your brain, will die if they are not supplied with oxygen, which is carried in the blood.³ This can cause permanent damage, and even after treatment, specific symptoms and after-effects can persist for a long time.³ The consequences of having a stroke are extremely severe, so it is vital that, as we age, we put effort into preventing strokes to help preserve cognitive function.⁴ 

Lower Your Blood Pressure 

High blood pressure is a huge stroke risk, incredibly increasing the chance of getting a stroke if it is not controlled.⁵ This condition puts extra strain on the arteries, which can lead to damage and make it easier for clots to form, blocking blood flow to the brain. If you have high blood pressure, various approaches can be taken in addition to any medication your doctor may prescribe.⁵ 

For example, eating more fruits/veggies, and consuming less salt and cholesterol make a big difference.⁵ It’s also important to regularly monitor your blood pressure so you can track improvements and catch any concerning changes early. Maintaining other healthy habits, such as not smoking and consuming alcohol in moderation, along with regular exercise, also helps significantly.⁵ 

Nutrition 

Nutrition is critical for stroke prevention, as healthy lifestyle choices can reduce stroke risk by about 80%.⁶ The recommended dietary plan is the Mediterranean diet, which is high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and is low in cholesterol and saturated fats.⁶ In addition to traditional dietary benefits, new research emphasizes how nutrition shapes gut microbiota, which significantly impacts stroke risk and recovery.⁷ 

Consuming diets high in fibre promotes the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects that support the health of the gut-brain axis.⁷ However, diets rich in processed foods and saturated fats may promote the production of harmful bacterial metabolites, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which can lead to neuroinflammation and vascular problems, increasing clot formation and elevating stroke risk.^7,8 Therefore, nutritional strategies that support gut eubiosis may offer an innovative, natural approach to reduce stroke risk and enhance neurological outcomes. 

How to Identify A Stroke (FAST) 

Now that you know how to help prevent a stroke, another important step for safety is learning how to identify one. There are four main signs of stroke, which can be recognized using the F.A.S.T. acronym.⁹ 

F: Face- does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? If the person smiles, does it appear uneven? 

A: Arms- is one arm weak or numb? If both arms are raised, does one arm drift downward? 

S: Speech- is speech slurred? 

T: Time- if you notice any of those signs, call 911 immediately. Every minute is crucial, and the sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance of reducing brain damage. 

In summary, preventing strokes and recognizing them early are vital for preserving long-term brain health and quality of life. Managing blood pressure, adhering to a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, and supporting gut health can significantly lower stroke risk. Additionally, understanding the F.A.S.T. method is crucial for quickly identifying symptoms and seeking prompt medical help. By making proactive lifestyle changes and staying informed, we can protect the brain, avoid serious complications, and enhance recovery if a stroke occurs. 

Managing your lifestyle choices, both physical and financial, requires making informed decisions that are tailored to your specific needs. If you’d like to learn more about maintaining your health and planning for the future, join us at one of our upcoming retirement seminars. Meet Dave, Faisal, and the rest of our team to gain insights on health care planning in retirement. Register today at https://morethanmoneyradio.com/seminar-registration/ 

The author is not a medical professional. The above content was accumulated through various sources and is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical recommendations. Readers should consult a physician or their family doctor for professional health and medical advice. 

David Popowich and Faisal Karmali are Investment Advisors with CIBC Wood Gundy in Calgary. 

The views of David Popowich, Faisal Karmali, and guest author and referenced material do not necessarily reflect those of CIBC World Markets Inc. 

This information, including any opinion, is based on various sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. 

CIBC Private Wealth consists of services provided by CIBC and certain of its subsidiaries, including CIBC Wood Gundy, a division of CIBC World Markets Inc. 

References: 

1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What is a Stroke? [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): NHLBI; [cited 2025 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/stroke#:~:text=A%20stroke%20can%20occur%20when,of%20the%20face%20or%20body. 

2. American Stroke Association. Effects of Stroke. [Internet]. Dallas (TX): ASA; [cited 2025 Oct 30]. Available from: 

https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke#:~:text=Paralysis%20on%20the%20left%20side,is%20established%20through%20eye%20movements. 

3. Cleveland Clinic. Stroke — Overview, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; [cited 2025 Oct 30]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5601-stroke 

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing Stroke. [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): CDC; [cited 2025 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/prevention/index.html 

5. Harvard Health Publishing. 8 Things You Can Do to Prevent a Stroke. [Internet]. Boston (MA): Harvard Health; [cited 2025 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/8-things-you-can-do-to-prevent-a-stroke 

6. Liu D, Zhao Z, Wang A, et al. Ischemic stroke is associated with the pro-inflammatory potential of N-glycosylated immunoglobulin G. J Neuroinflammation. 2018;15:123. doi:10.1186/s12974-018-1161-1. (BioMed Central) 

7. Isaac SL, Mohd Hashim A, Wong F W F, Mohamed Akbar M A, Wan Nur Ismah W-A K. A Review on Bacteriocin Extraction Techniques from Lactic Acid Bacteria. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2024;17(1):138-158. doi:10.1007/s12602-024-10273-9. (CoLab) 

8. Spence J. David. Stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation: The diagnosis and management of hypertension by specialists. Can J Cardiol. 2006;22(6):485-488. doi:10.1016/S0828-282X(06)70265-3. (experts.mcmaster.ca) 

9. American Stroke Association. Stroke — Symptoms. [Internet]. Dallas (TX): ASA; [cited 2025 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms 

10. Spence J. David. Stroke Prevention: A Lifetime of Lessons. PubMed. 2020;32498662. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32498662/ 

11. Spence J. David. Stroke Prevention in Older Adults: Recent Advances. PubMed. 2020;33121384. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33121384/ 

12. Candelario-Jalil E, Dijkhuizen RM, Magnus T. Neuroinflammation, stroke, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and imaging modalities. Stroke. 2022 May;53(5):1473-86. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.036946.