Tips for prevention stroke

Stroke - Prevention

You can help prevent a stroke if you control risk factors and treat other medical conditions that can lead to a stroke. And if you have already had a stroke or a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), you can prevent another stroke in the same way, by controlling risk factors and treating medical conditions that can lead to stroke.

Know your stroke risk.

These are some of the common risk factors for stroke:

•    You smoke.
•    You have high blood pressure.
•    Your cholesterol level is higher than average.
•    You have diabetes.
•    You are overweight.
•    You do not exercise on a regular basis.
•    You drink large amounts of alcohol.
•    Treat any health problems you have

Manage high blood pressure or high cholesterol by working with your doctor.
Manage diabetes. Keep your blood sugar levels within a target range.
If your doctor recommends you take aspirin or a blood thinner, take it. This can help prevent having a stroke.
Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle,

Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around you. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
Stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight makes it more likely you will develop high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes. These conditions make a stroke more likely.
Do activities that raise your heart rate. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Walking is a good choice. You also may want to do other activities, such as running, swimming, cycling, or playing tennis or team sports.
Eat a balanced diet that is low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and salt. What kind of diet you use depends on your individual risks, your doctor's recommendation, and your preference.
Risk factors for stroke include those you can treat or change and those you can't change.

Risk factors you can treat or change:

Risk factors you cannot change include:

Age: The risk of stroke increases with age.
Race: African Americans, Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives have a higher risk than those of other races.
Gender: Stroke is more common in men than women until age 75, when more women than men have strokes. Because women live longer than men, more women have strokes each year.
Family history: The risk for stroke is greater if a parent, brother, or sister has had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
History of stroke or TIA.
The Warning Signs of Stroke:

A stroke happens about every 40 seconds. Do you know the warning signs?

If you do have stroke warning signs, this means your brain isn't getting the blood it needs. Damage may be temporary or permanent. For example, you might lose the ability to speak, but recover it with time. You might have partial or complete weakness, for example, in the use of an arm or leg.

The important thing is what you do if stroke symptoms happen. The sooner the treatment starts, the less chance of serious damage to the brain. And this means less chance of permanent disability.

Stroke Warning Signs:

Sometimes symptoms of stroke develop gradually. But if you are having a stroke, you are more likely to have one or more sudden warning signs like these:

Numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
Confusion or trouble understanding other people
Trouble speaking
Trouble seeing with one or both eyes
Trouble walking or staying balanced or coordinated
Dizziness
Severe headache that comes on for no known reason

What to Do if You Have Symptoms of Stroke

Remember that a stroke is a medical emergency. Sometimes it is even called a brain attack.

Don't ignore stroke warning signs – even if you have just one warning sign or if symptoms are mild or go away.
Don't wait! Every minute counts.
An ambulance can get you to a hospital without delay.
Check the time when symptoms begin. This is important information to share when you arrive at the hospital.