Prevent Stroke: What You Can Do | cdc.gov

Choose healthy foods and drinks

Choosing healthy meal and snack options can help you prevent a stroke. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Eating foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high cholesterol. limiting salt (sodium) in your diet can also lower your blood pressure. High cholesterol and high blood pressure increase the chances of having a stroke.

For more information on healthy diet and nutrition, see CDC Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program website.

Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of stroke. To determine if your weight is within a healthy range, doctors often calculate your body mass index (BMI). If you know your weight and height, you can calculate your BMI in CDC website to assess your weight. Sometimes doctors also use waist and hip measurements to measure excess body fat.

Do regular physical activity

Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. For adults, the Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, such as brisk walking, each week. Children and adolescents should do 1 hour of physical activity every day.

Find inspiration and tips for regular physical activity of the “Live to the Beat” campaign.

For more information, see CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity website.

do not smoke

Cigarette smoking greatly increases the chances of having a stroke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you smoke, quitting will reduce your risk of stroke. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit smoking.

For more information on tobacco use and quitting, see CDC Smoking and Tobacco Use Website.

limit alcohol

Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can raise your blood pressure. Men should not have more than two drinks per day and women should not have more than one per day. For more information visit CDC website on alcohol and public health.

Control your medical conditions

Talk to your doctor about steps you can take to reduce your risk of stroke.

If you have heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, you can take steps to reduce your risk of stroke.

check cholesterol

Your doctor should test your cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years. Talk to your healthcare team about this simple blood test. If you have high cholesterol, medications and lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of stroke.

control blood pressure

Hypertension he usually has no symptoms, so be sure to check him regularly. Talk to your healthcare team about how often to check your levels. You can check your blood pressure at home, at a doctor’s office, or at a pharmacy.

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication, suggest lifestyle changes, or recommend that you choose foods with less sodium (salt).

control diabetes

If your doctor thinks you have symptoms of diabetes, he or she may recommend that you get tested. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels regularly.

Talk with your health care team about treatment options. Your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes, such as being more physically active or making healthier food choices. These actions will help keep your blood sugar under good control and help reduce your risk of stroke.

treat heart disease

If you have certain heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease or atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), your health care team may recommend medical treatment or surgery. Taking care of heart problems can help prevent a stroke.

take your medicine

If you take medicine to treat heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Always ask questions if you don’t understand something. Never stop taking your medicine without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Work with your health care team

You and your health care team can work together to prevent or treat the medical conditions that lead to stroke. Talk about your treatment plan regularly and bring a list of questions to your appointments. Learn how find the right doctor for you of the “Live to the Beat” campaign.

If you’ve already had a stroke or TIA, your health care team will work with you to prevent more strokes. Your treatment plan will include medication or surgery and lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of another stroke. Be sure to take your medication as directed and follow your doctor’s instructions.

More information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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