Tips to Prevent Strokes

Feb. 21 -- Do you know the important, practical things you need to know about stroke? If you are not sure, the following ABCs will help you understand the basic approaches to dealing with it. Mainly, how to avoid it, how to beat it if you get it, and finally how to recover from it.

'A' for Avoid It:

It is of utmost importance to avoid stroke or prevent it from happening, as this is the most effective way of dealing with it. How to do it? Answer the following questions:

Risk Factors

1. Am I 65 years or older?2. Do I have high blood pressure?3. Do I have diabetes or high blood sugar?4. Do I have atrial fibrillation (a specific heart rhythm irregularity)?5. Do I have heart disease?6. Do I smoke cigarettes?7. Do I drink alcohol heavily?8. Do I do very little or no physical activity?9. Do I have one or more members of my family that had strokes?10. Did my doctor tell me I have blockage in the vessels in my neck?11. Did I ever have a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack or mini-stroke)?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you should be aware that you are at risk for stroke. You are at higher risk if you have already suffered a stroke or TIA, or if you have answered "yes" to two or more of the questions. If you are at risk for stroke, then answer the following questions:

Prevention

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1. Did I stop smoking?2. Is my blood pressure well treated?3. Is my blood sugar well controlled?4. Am I drinking one or two alcoholic drinks a day?5. Am I doing moderate physical activity regularly?

Medication or Treatment

1. I have atrial fibrillation. Am I on warfarin or Coumadin?2. I had a stroke or TIA or I have heart disease: Am I on an antiplatelet medication (mild blood thinner, like aspirin or others)?3. I have heart disease or high cholesterol: Am I taking a medication to lower cholesterol?4. I have a narrowing of the blood vessels in my neck: Should I have surgery or not? Did my doctor discuss it with me?

If you address these questions appropriately, you are indeed doing the best you can to avoid a stroke.