1 in 4 people over 40 will have a stroke in their lifetime.
Yet – up to 80% of strokes are preventable with the right lifestyle changes.
Last week while at his favorite neighborhood bar my Dad’s buddy stopped mid-sentence, turned to him and said I can’t see out of my right eye.
Luckily, the fella’s wife was there, he popped a big aspirin and 5 minutes later he was at the hospital.
Sadly, this wasn’t his friend’s first stroke.
He’s still in the hospital right now because of complications.
Could this situation have been prevented?
I believe so.
In my opinion, most strokes are a result of factors that contribute to poor and turbulent circulation.
Blood flow is like a river—smooth unless obstructed.
Dehydration, excess sugar, or too many red blood cells and cholesterol act like log jams, slowing flow and causing blood to bounce off artery walls.
The more plaque buildup bouncing around or sticky sugar molecules scraping arterial walls, the higher the chance your arteries stay in constant repair mode—leading to clot formation and potential strokes.
Combine this with age-related arterial stiffness from decreased mobility and a sedentary lifestyle, and you’ve got double trouble.
The good news?
All of this can be prevented.
You can assess your blood viscosity aka “thickness” by looking at your current labs.
You’ll need your hematocrit percentage (you’ll find it as HCT in your Complete Blood Count – CBC result).
And you’ll need your total protein, which will be in your comprehensive metabolic panel under protein measured in grams per liter (g/L).
Take that information and plug it into the…
Blood viscosity calculation (research study HERE):
(0.12 x HCT) + (0.17 x (protein – 2.07) = Your blood viscosity
Optimal ranges:
Women: 14.7 – 18.3
Men: 15.3 – 19.1
If your level is above normal, your blood is thicker; if it’s below optimal, it’s thinner.
Since high blood viscosity is linked to insulin resistance and can signal early blood sugar issues—often before glucose levels appear abnormal—this calculation is a key predictor of metabolic health.
No matter where your levels fall, there are steps you can take now to prevent or reverse blood thickness from leading to bigger health problems!
Three powerful ways to protect your brain and circulation:
✅ Balance Your Blood Sugar – High blood sugar damages blood vessels, increasing stroke risk. Reduce or ditch processed carbs and focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods. Start meals with proteins and veggies while saving carbohydrate rich foods for last. Avoid carbohydrate only snacks to keep sugar in check.
✅ Boost Circulation in Your Neck – Support blood flow to the brain with glymphatic and lymphatic drainage using self massage or red light therapy on the neck, find a practitioner to help you with myofascial release, and participate in daily stretching. These techniques help clear toxins and improve circulation to the brain.
✅ Eat for Healthy Circulation – Add foods like beets, ginger, turmeric, garlic, and micro- greens to your diet to keep blood moving freely. Consider taking herbal support like Ginko or Dong Quai daily to help boost circulation. (Caution with these herbs if you are on blood thinners or baby aspirin daily).
Protect your future by taking action today.
Your brain—and your body—will thank you.
Here’s to smooth flowing blood!
Dr. Jannine Krause
