Secondary Prevention

Your risk is a one in six chance of a further stroke in the ensuing five years (Jackson, Int J Clin Pract. 2003 Jun;57(5):385-7). Try to prevent this by starting with

1. Read all the risk factors. Which apply to you? What can you modify?
2. What tests have been done to tell you why you have had a TIA or stroke?
3. Have you been referred to a neurologist? All strokes and TIA's should be investigated by a neurologist.

You are in control of this!

• Take all prescribed medication as prescribed. Ask your pharmacist for instructions. For example, Cholesterol medication should be taken at bedtime
• Maintain a blood pressure of no more than 130/80. Most strokes are associated with high blood pressure
• If you are a diabetic, good blood sugar control and blood pressure control are essential. Blood pressure for diabetics should be no more than 130/80. A referral to the diabetic clinic at the local hospital may help you understand how to control diabetes better
• Stop smoking!
• Maintain a healthy weight. Weight Watchers may provide you with more than weight loss, it may be a good place to meet people too
• Eat 5-10 vegetables and fruits a day. Try to include a variety of textures and colors. Green leafy vegetables contain folic acid that helps your heart and circulation and lutein that helps to protect your eyes from macular degeneration. Orange colored vegetables contain beta carotene that prevents lung cancer. Tomatoes contain lycopene that prevent prostrate cancer. Ground flax seed contains omega 3 fatty acids that raise Good cholesterol (HDL) and lignans that prevent prostrate and breast cancer. People who eat blueberries live longer
• Limit alcohol consumption. Some alcohol is protective for heart disease. A glass of wine, beer, or hard liquor 3 times a week may be protective but more is not better
• Utilize the services that are available to you to prevent stress

“Modifiable factors for the primary prevention of stroke illness include the management and treatment of predisposing abnormalities such as raised low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels, raised Homocysteine levels, disease such as coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus, and the complications of obesity interacting with life-style factors such as poverty, temperature, smoking, diet, alcohol intake, and physical activity. The management of the acute phase, complications such as pain, spasticity, affective disorder, and the availability of support services including those to support caregiver stress have a significant effect on outcome both in terms of achieving individual independence and in reducing dependence on services as measured by readmission rates and institutionalization.”  For more information go to MultiMedia HealthCare