Preventing Another Stroke: What You Need To Know

Having a stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Once you've had a stroke, your risk of having another is increased, with 1 in 4 stroke survivors going on to have another. However, understanding the factors that may have caused your stroke can help you reduce your risk of recurrence. Doctors recommend making healthy lifestyle changes such as controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, taking medication, getting exercise, and eating a healthy diet.

Lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of a second stroke

Having a stroke puts you at a higher risk of having another one. However, understanding the factors that may have caused your stroke will help you reduce the risk of having another. Here are some lifestyle changes that can help:

Manage High Blood Pressure

Stroke risk is four to six times higher in those with high blood pressure. Reducing salt intake, avoiding high-cholesterol foods, exercising more, and quitting smoking will all help reduce high blood pressure. Get your blood pressure checked regularly and monitor it closely if it is high. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg.

Exercise

Working out keeps your blood flowing and your heart strong. Aim for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Even 10 minutes offers health benefits. Throughout the week, try to do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or a combination of both.

Diet

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower your risk of stroke. A Mediterranean diet, which includes fish and fruits, is particularly beneficial. Load up on fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Avoid high-cholesterol foods and reduce your intake of sugary drinks and sodium (salt).

Quit Smoking

All forms of tobacco can cause blockages in the artery leading to the brain. When you quit smoking, your stroke risk drops immediately.

Manage Diabetes

High blood sugar damages blood vessels in the brain, making it easier for clots to form. Work with your doctor to manage your blood glucose.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight contributes to high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. To maintain a healthy weight, balance the number of calories you eat with your physical activity level. Losing as little as 10 pounds can have a large impact on your stroke risk.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Binge drinking thins the blood, increasing bleeding risk. Limit alcohol to one drink per day for women and two drinks for men.

Manage Stress

Constant psychological pressure may damage artery walls. Try positive self-talk to reduce stress.

Warning signs and emergency action plans

Warning Signs:

• Facial Weakness: Check for drooping on one side of the face or numbness. Ask the person to smile and observe if their smile is uneven.
• Arm Weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms; if they can only raise one or if one arm drifts downward, it could be a warning sign.
• Speech Problems: Listen for slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding speech. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence to test their speech and comprehension.
• Time to Act: If you observe any of these symptoms, it's time to call the emergency services (911 in the US and 999 or 112 in the UK). Act F.A.S.T. (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) and don't delay.

Emergency Action Plan:

• Educate Yourself and Others: Learn the F.A.S.T. warning signs and educate your family and caregivers. If you live alone, ensure you can quickly dial emergency services.
• Follow Doctor's Orders: Consult your doctor to understand your risk factors and create a prevention plan. Take prescribed medications and make any recommended lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of a second stroke.
• Act Quickly: If you observe any warning signs, don't wait. Call emergency services immediately. The faster you act, the higher the chances of survival and lower disability rates.
• Comfort and Support: While waiting for help to arrive, keep the person comfortable and supported. Do not give them anything to eat or drink, as swallowing may be difficult. Continue to monitor their level of response.

Remember, having a stroke increases your risk of a second one, but understanding the warning signs and taking preventive measures can make a significant difference.

High blood pressure is the No. 1 risk factor for strokes

If you've had a stroke, you are at a higher risk of having another one. Of the 795,000 strokes that occur each year, 185,000 are recurrent. High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for strokes. It is a leading cause of strokes and is the main cause of increased risk of stroke among people with diabetes. High blood pressure occurs when the pressure of the blood in your arteries is too high. This excess pressure stretches the arteries beyond their healthy limit and can cause small tears. The body then tries to repair these tears with scar tissue, but this scar tissue traps substances that form plaque and can lead to blockages, blood clots, and hardened, weakened arteries.

Weakened or blocked arteries in the brain create a much higher risk for stroke. This is why managing high blood pressure is critical to reducing your risk of stroke. High blood pressure can be caused by several factors, including family history, age, lack of physical activity, poor diet, obesity, and drinking too much alcohol. It often has no apparent symptoms, so it is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly. If you have high blood pressure, lowering it through lifestyle changes or medication can also lower your risk of stroke.

Making healthy lifestyle changes can help to reduce your risk of a second stroke. This includes moving more, eating healthily, managing blood pressure, getting healthy sleep, and quitting smoking and vaping. It is important to talk to your doctor about managing your stroke risk factors and creating a prevention plan. This may include controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose, as well as making lifestyle changes.

The importance of prescribed medication

Having a stroke puts you at a higher risk of experiencing another one, so it is important to take steps to prevent this from happening. While lifestyle changes such as moving more, eating healthily, managing blood pressure, getting healthy sleep, and quitting smoking and vaping can help, prescribed medication also plays a vital role in lowering the risk of a second stroke.

Types of Prescribed Medication

The medication you are prescribed will depend on the type of stroke you experienced and your other health conditions. There are three main types of strokes: ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot in a blood vessel in the brain, while hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding inside the brain. TIAs are often referred to as "mini-strokes" and act as a warning sign for a potential future stroke.

Some common types of medication prescribed after a stroke include:

• Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, which help prevent blood clots from forming. Examples include warfarin, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban.
• Antiplatelets, which prevent blood cells called platelets from sticking together and forming clots. Examples include aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticagrelor.
• High blood pressure medications, as high blood pressure is a top cause of both types of stroke. Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin II receptor blockers are commonly prescribed.
• High cholesterol medications, as high cholesterol can also increase the risk of stroke. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are often prescribed to lower cholesterol levels.
• Diabetes medications, as uncontrolled diabetes can raise the risk of stroke.

Taking Prescribed Medication as Directed

It is important to take your prescribed medication as directed by your healthcare provider to effectively lower your risk of having another stroke. Do not stop taking your medication unless instructed to do so by your doctor, as this can increase your risk of experiencing another stroke. If you experience bothersome side effects, discuss them with your healthcare provider, who may suggest ways to lessen these side effects without stopping your medication.

Support networks and therapy

The American Stroke Association offers a Stroke Support Group Finder, where you can locate registered stroke groups near you by entering your zip code and desired mileage radius. These groups can provide invaluable support and help you feel less alone in your recovery journey.

In addition to support groups, it is important to have a strong support system of family and friends who can offer emotional and practical support. It is natural to experience a range of emotions after a stroke, such as fear, anger, grief, shock, and helplessness. Talking about these emotions with your loved ones or a therapist can be incredibly beneficial for your mental health and overall well-being. Therapists and social workers can also advise you on finding practical and financial support to aid in your recovery.

Rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of recovering from a stroke, and it involves relearning skills and adapting to any lasting effects of the stroke. Rehabilitation specialists, rehabilitation nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, speech and language therapists, and mental health professionals all play important roles in your recovery journey. They will work with you to set goals, develop a treatment plan, and help you regain as much independence as possible.

Remember, your recovery may take time, patience, practice, and determination. There may be days when progress feels slow or challenging, but it is important to keep going. By surrounding yourself with a strong support network and engaging with the right therapies, you can increase your chances of making a successful recovery and reducing the risk of having another stroke.

Frequently asked questions