Preventing a Stroke

What You Can Do

Knowing your family history and getting regular check-ups are important factors in staying healthy. Try these tips to help prevent a stroke:

• Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk of stroke. Consider Quit with WakeMed, our tobacco cessation program.
• Change your diet. Eat a low-fat diet rich in vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy foods, and reduce your sodium intake.
• Lose excess weight.
• Exercise regularly. Get 40 minutes or more of aerobic activity most days of the week.
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
• Get your blood pressure checked every one to two years, especially if high blood pressure runs in your family.
• Have your cholesterol checked. If you’re at high risk for stroke, your LDL "bad" cholesterol should be lower than 100 mg/dL. Your doctor may recommend that you try to reduce your LDL cholesterol to 70 mg/dL.
• Find out if you have an irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation or circulation problems.
• Follow your doctor's treatment recommendations if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease.

Reduce Your Blood Pressure — Helpful Tips

• Lose excess weight.
• Exercise Daily — Get 40 minutes or more of aerobic activity most days of the week.
• Change Your Diet — Eat a low-fat diet rich in vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy foods, and reduce your sodium intake.
• Limit Sodium — Try to take in less than 2,000 mg of sodium a day. Read food labels to know how much sodium you are consuming. Put away the salt shaker. Try other spices and herbs to add flavor to your foods.
• Quit Smoking — One of the best steps you can take to improve your blood pressure, heart and brain health.
• Reduce Stress — Through regular exercise, better time management, meditation or laughter, find the best outlet to reduce your stress.

Learn more at the American Heart Association.