Stroke Prevention

While some risk factors cannot be changed (such as age, heredity and the occurrence of a previous stroke or heart attack), you can take steps to avoid other potential causes of a stroke. Risk factors that can be controlled, treated or changed include:

• High blood pressure (one of the most common causes of stroke)
• Cigarette smoking
• Diabetes mellitus
• Heart disease/vascular disease
• Atrial fibrillation
• High cholesterol
• Poor diet
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• Poor dental care
• Excessive alcohol use

One of the best ways to reduce your risk for stroke is to know your blood pressure. If it is high, work with your physician to lower or control it.

Find out from your physician/provider if you have atrial fibrillation.

If you smoke, STOP.

Find out if you have high cholesterol. If so, work with your physician/healthcare provider to control it.

If you have diabetes mellitus, follow your physician/ provider's recommendations to control it.

Include exercise that you enjoy in your daily routine.

Enjoy a low-salt, low-fat diet.