Preventing stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood flow is cut off to any part of the brain. The loss of blood flow can be caused by a blood clot in an artery of the brain. It can also be caused by a blood vessel in a part of the brain that becomes weak and bursts open. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack."

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of having a stroke. You cannot change some risk factors for stroke. But some, you can.

Changing risk factors that you can control will help you live a longer, healthier life. This is called preventive care.

An important way to help prevent stroke is to see your health care provider for regular checkups. Your provider will want to see you at least once a year. Ask your provider when you should come in for a checkup.

You can't change some risk factors or causes of stroke:

Blood clots from the heart may travel to the brain and cause a stroke. This may happen in people with:

You can change some risk factors for stroke, by taking the following steps:

Eating healthy is good for your heart and can help lower your risk of stroke.

Read labels and stay away from unhealthy fats. Avoid foods with:

Work with your provider to control your cholesterol and diabetes with a healthy diet, exercise, and medicines if needed.

If you have high blood pressure:

If you have hardening of the arteries, your provider may want to monitor your carotid arteries for blockages.

If you take blood thinners, it is important to not miss any doses, as blood clots can form and cause stroke.

Talk to your provider about the risks of taking birth control pills.

Your provider may suggest taking aspirin or another medicine to help prevent blood clots from forming. Do not take aspirin without talking to your provider first.

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Review Date: 8/28/2023
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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