Providing care for stroke patients can not only be a challenging task, but one wrought with fear as well. Where does fear come in? Caregivers are often fearful of a second stroke occurring. This fear is not unwarranted, as one out of four stroke victims have a repeat stroke, per the National Stroke Association. So, the question is what can caregivers do to eliminate or reduce the risk of a second stroke? We will answer this question below.

The main key to preventing another stroke lies in initiating lifestyle changes. Some of these changes include:

  • Stop smoking – If the stroke survivor was a smoker, he or she needs to eliminate this habit. This is important because statistics show that smoking increases the risk of having a second stroke by 50 percent. As a caregiver, you can help them to break this habit by enrolling them in a smoking cessation program at a local hospital and/or encouraging them to utilize an aid such as NicoDerm or Nicorette. If they are up for the challenge, with support from you and other family members and friends they may be able to quit cold turkey. Use whatever method works best for the individual.
  • Keep blood pressure low – High blood pressure is often a major factor in stroke occurrence. Those with hypertension are one and a half times more likely to have a stroke than those with normal blood pressure levels. If your patient has high blood pressure, ensure that they are taking their medication as prescribed and help them to minimize stress, which often elevates blood pressure.
  • Eat better – The food that they eat can contribute to a stroke either through obesity or high cholesterol. Help them to eat foods that are lower in calories, trans and saturated fats, and cholesterol. These choices will help in managing weight and in preventing high levels of cholesterol.
  • Exercise, Exercise, Exercise – Physical activity has been evidenced to decrease the risk of having another stroke if it is done at least five times a week. If the stroke has limited your loved one’s mobility or caused muscle weakness, there are many work outs that can be done sitting in a chair or wheelchair.
  • Alcohol is another vice that may have to be eliminated or modified for stroke prevention. Studies show that there is a doubled risk for those who have more than two drinks a day. You can help the patient by either assisting them in eliminating alcohol from their diet or limiting it to special occasions.

With the odds being so unfavorably high in having a second stroke, it is vital for caregivers to help their patient make positive changes for stroke prevention. We have provided some changes that can help lessen the risk. You can find out more information on preventing a recurring stroke in this article by the National Stroke Association .

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