Every year, nearly 800,000 people experience a stroke in the United States. It might surprise you to learn that 185,000 of those people are having a second or subsequent stroke.
There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Of the two, ischemic strokes are far more common, accounting for up to 90% of all strokes. This type of stroke is caused by a blood clot cutting off blood flow to the brain, depriving it of oxygen.
Understanding Your Risk of Having Another Stroke
The chance of you having another stroke after you’ve already had one depends on the kind of stroke it was. According to the American Stroke Association, nearly 1 in 4 ischemic stroke survivors will go on to have another stroke.
That’s because the factors that contributed to the first stroke are often still present after the stroke, meaning the stroke survivor remains at a high risk.
Risk factors for stroke include:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Diabetes
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Inactive lifestyle
- Obesity
- Poor diet
- Smoking
The risk factors listed above are considered “controllable,” meaning you can make changes to lower your risk. Even if you have risk factors that are beyond your control, such as being of advanced age or having a family history of stroke, you can still lower your risk by making lifestyle choices.
Steps You Can Take to Lower Your Risk
If you had an ischemic stroke, the elevated risk of having another stroke might be intimidating. The good news is up to 80% of recurrent strokes can be prevented. The tips below can help you lower your risk and protect your health.
Get the Follow-up Care You Need
After recovering from a stroke, you’ll be discharged from the hospital with information about how to care for your health. Following those guidelines can help you recover and lower your risk of experiencing another stroke.
This includes regular checkups to monitor your health and manage conditions that raise your stroke risk. You might see a primary care provider for these checkups or you might also see a specialist, such as a neurologist, endocrinologist or cardiologist.
Take Medications as Prescribed
After an ischemic stroke, most people are prescribed an antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication. Antiplatelets keep platelets in the blood from clumping together and forming blood clots, while anticoagulants keep blood clots from forming or growing larger.
If you’re prescribed these medications, be sure to take them as prescribed. Don’t discontinue them without talking with a medical provider.
You may also take medications to lower your risk in other ways. If you have high blood pressure, for example, you might need to take medication to lower your blood pressure into a healthier range.
Make Daily Movement a Priority
Being physically active is one of the best things you can do for your health. Health experts recommend that most adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.
That’s just over 20 minutes per day of an activity such as brisk walking. If 20 minutes sounds like too much at one time, fit in smaller bursts of activity throughout your day to hit the goal.
Move your body when you can, as much as you can.
How and What You Eat Matters
You probably know the basics of a healthy diet. How does your diet compare? Making some changes to your eating habits can make a big difference.
Wondering what to eat? A heart-healthy diet can actually help you lower your risk of stroke, too. Fill your plate at meals with plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein (such as chicken, turkey, beans or tofu) and a small amount of healthy fats (such as fish, eggs or avocado).
Limit your consumption of foods that contain excess sodium, added sugar and saturated fat. You’ll often find those additives in processed foods, so choose whole foods whenever you can.
Say Goodbye to Bad Habits
Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death among people in the U.S. and a major risk factor for stroke.
Smokers have double the risk of having a stroke than those who do not smoke. If you smoke or vape, talk with a medical provider about ways to quit.
If you drink alcohol, it’s also a good idea to rethink how much you’re drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of stroke. Current health guidelines call for drinking no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men, but less is better.
Know When to Take Action
Since stroke risk increases after having one, knowing the signs and calling 911 immediately is crucial. Talk with your medical provider about red flags of stroke and what you’d feel and notice if you were having another one.
Your loved ones and others who spend time with you, including coworkers, should also know how to recognize the signs of stroke. Stroke requires immediate action; knowing what to do is crucial for everyone.
Access Award-Winning Stroke Care
As a Joint Commission and America Stroke Association-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, University Health offers the highest level of stroke care. Learn more at StrokeMovesFast.com.
Community Resources
We are also taking steps to address community needs within Bexar County. This is why we are excited to offer resources for everyone, whether you receive care from us or not. Visit our Institute for Public Health for stroke-related resources.
