Employee Wellness News

Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in women and kills more women than men. In fact, one in five women will have a stroke. Pregnancy, history of preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, migraines with aura and smoke, and atrial fibrillation all increase a woman’s risk for stroke. (stroke.org)

A stroke is damage to the brain that happens when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts. Many things can raise your risk including health problems, smoking, being overweight, and a family history of stroke. Quick treatment can help limit brain damage and increase the chance of a full recovery. The good news is that most strokes can be prevented. Here are some prevention tips from the American Stroke Association:

Health Advocate, our Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), is hosting free webinars in May. The first webinar helps you explore strategies to manage mental & emotional health as well as understand where and when to seek help. The second discusses living with loss. Details on these webinars, as well as additional mental health resources, are below.

Get up and get active! This May, celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month by making the commitment to get active. Be sure to think about your oral health, too. It's an important part of your overall wellness.