Understanding Your Stroke:
A Guide for Patients and Families

Preventing Future Strokes

After you leave the hospital, adopt healthy habits with the goal of preventing future strokes in mind. Here are some pointers:

If you have high blood pressure, continue to take your mediation exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking your medication for any reason, even if your blood pressure has been normal for some time. A sodium-restricted diet and weight loss program may help to control blood pressure.
A diet low in fat and cholesterol may help to keep your arteries free of plaque that can disrupt blood flow.
Healthy eating articles and tips
If you are a diabetic it is important to continue with your diabetic diet and use the appropriate food exchanges to help decrease long-term complications. Your doctor can ask the nutritionist if you need to adjust your diet or if you need your diet reviewed. Diabetic teaching classes are also available if you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes or you would like current information on the disease.
More about managing diabetes
Smoking greatly increases your chances of having another stroke. Ask your doctor about medical treatments to help you stop smoking.
More about smoking cessation
Reducing the amount of stress in your life will also help lower your risk of a future stroke.
Stress reduction tips
Make sure to exercise every day. Walking even 15 minutes each day can help circulation and strengthen your heart muscle. Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.
Exercise ideas