Stroke Prevention

What Can I Do to Prevent Stroke

Stroke is a cardiovascular disease; so much of what you've learned about preventing heart disease and hardening of the arteries applies to stroke prevention. Steps you can take to reduce your risk of stroke include:^[13][14][22]

• Get a regular check up with your doctor and discuss any concerns you have about stroke.

• Control blood pressure. Follow your doctor's recommendations concerning diet, exercise and weight loss. If this is not enough, you may need to take medicine to reduce your blood pressure.

• Stop smoking.

• Treat any heart conditions that you have including atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), heart valve disorders and coronary artery disease.

• Eat a healthy diet. Reduce cholesterol, saturated fat and salt in your diet and don't drink excessively. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber, calcium and foods such as coldwater fish, which contain omega-3 fatty acids.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can increase your blood pressure and increases your risk for both heart disease and stroke.

• Exercise regularly. Exercise reduces the risk of hardening of the arteries. Talk with your doctor first to see how much and what types of exercise are appropriate for you.

• Treat diabetes. Untreated diabetes is linked with stroke and heart disease.

• Discuss the use of oral contraceptives with your doctor. They can increase your risk for blood clots.

• Discuss the use of hormone replacement therapy (estrogen) with your doctor as it is associated with a small increase in stroke.

• Manage stress. Stress can increase your blood pressure. It may also increase the likelihood of having a blood clot. Consider using relaxation exercises to help manage your stress.

• Don't use illicit drugs. Street drugs such as cocaine and crack cocaine are known to increase blood pressure and increase your risk for TIA and stroke.

• Take aspirin if your doctor recommends it.