Stroke Prevention

Taking the following steps can help you control risk factors and other medical conditions that could lead to a stroke:

Have regular medical checkups. Work with your doctor to control your high blood pressure. This is especially important if you also have diabetes.
Become more active. The more physically active you are, the greater the reduction in risk. Exercise can also help raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels in your body, which also reduces the risk of stroke.
Get tested for high cholesterol, heart disease (especially atrial fibrillation), diabetes, or disorders that affect your blood vessels.
Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit. Daily cigarette smoking increases the risk of stroke by two times.
Take cholesterol-lowering medications called statins if you have high cholesterol or have had a heart attack, TIA, or stroke.

Stroke Risk Factors

High blood pressure
Diabetes
High Cholesterol
Heart Disease
Irregular Heartbeat
Coronary artery disease
Smoking (including second-hand smoke)
Heavy alcohol usage
Physical inactivity
Being overweight
Use of birth control pills, anticoagulants, and steroids
Hormone replacement therapy
Use of cocaine and other illegal drugs
Heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation, endocarditis, and cardiomyopathy

Stroke Symptoms

Warning signs of possible stroke may include a combination of symptoms. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience,
or witness someone else experiencing, the following:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding others
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

More Information

The Stroke Center

Enhance Your Stroke Awareness

Detection and Diagnosis

Treatment Options

Prevention, Risk and Symptoms

The Stroke Center Patient Survey

American Stroke Association

Stroke Connection Magazine

The Internet Stroke Center

Prevention Magazine

Schedule an Appointment

For assistance in finding a general physician who can help determine if you are at high risk for stroke, please call Direct Doctors Plus at 388-4888.

Note: The information on this Web site is provided as general health guidelines and may not be applicable to your particular health condition. Your individual health status and any required medical treatments can only be properly addressed by a professional healthcare provider of your choice. Remember: There is no adequate substitution for a personal consultation with your physician. Neither Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, or any of their affiliates, nor any contributors shall have any liability for the content or any errors or omissions in the information provided by this Web site.

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