1. Introduction to Stroke Prevention

Overview

  • Importance of stroke prevention
  • Statistics on stroke prevalence and preventability

2. Understanding Risk Factors

Controllable Risk Factors

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity and physical inactivity
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Unhealthy diet

Uncontrollable Risk Factors

  • Age
  • Family history of stroke
  • Gender
  • Prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

3. Lifestyle Changes for Stroke Prevention

Healthy Eating

  • Importance of a balanced diet
  • Foods that reduce stroke risk (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats)
  • Foods to limit or avoid (sodium, trans fats, sugary foods)

Physical Activity

  • Benefits of regular exercise
  • Recommended types and amounts of physical activity
  • Tips for incorporating more physical activity into daily life

Weight Management

  • Importance of maintaining a healthy weight
  • Strategies for weight loss and weight management

Quitting Smoking

  • Risks associated with smoking
  • Benefits of quitting smoking
  • Resources and strategies for quitting smoking

Limiting Alcohol Consumption

  • Risks of excessive alcohol consumption
  • Recommended alcohol limits
  • Tips for reducing alcohol intake

4. Managing Medical Conditions

High Blood Pressure

  • Importance of blood pressure control
  • Lifestyle changes and medications to manage hypertension

Diabetes

  • Connection between diabetes and stroke risk
  • Managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication

High Cholesterol

  • Understanding cholesterol levels
  • Dietary changes and medications to lower cholesterol

5. Medical Interventions and Screenings

Regular Check-ups

  • Importance of regular medical check-ups
  • Key screenings for stroke prevention (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes)

Medications

  • Common medications prescribed for stroke prevention (antihypertensives, statins, anticoagulants)
  • Importance of medication adherence

Preventive Procedures

  • Information on procedures like carotid endarterectomy or angioplasty for high-risk individuals

6. Recognizing Early Warning Signs

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

  • Understanding TIAs as “mini-strokes”
  • Recognizing the symptoms of TIA
  • Importance of seeking immediate medical attention

Symptoms of Stroke

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