| If you have diabetes (and especially if you blood | | | | 7. Quit smoking. |
| sugar is out of control), you are twice as likely to | | | | 8. Keep your blood glucose under control |
| have a stroke as though without diabetes. | | | | 9. Take your prescription medications as directed |
| High blood sugar can lead to increased deposits of | | | | by your health care provider. |
| fatty materials (plaques) in your veins over time. | | | | 10. Do abuse alcohol or illicit drugs. |
| These plaques can increase your chances of | | | | 11. Take an aspirin a day (if you doctor says you |
| clogging and hardening of your blood vessels. | | | | should). |
| There are many things that you can do to | | | | 12. Recognize and get immediate treatment for |
| prevent a stroke. | | | | transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or sometimes |
| Preventing A Stroke | | | | called mini-stroke). The signs of a TIA are very |
| 1. Control your cholesterol. | | | | similar to that of a stroke with sudden onset of |
| 2. Reduce the amount of trans fats in your diet. | | | | numbness, confusion, blindness, loss of balance, or |
| 3. Exercise as directed by your health care | | | | severe headache. |
| provider. They may suggest at least 30 minutes | | | | If you suspect you have had a stroke (or |
| of exercise on most days or 150 minutes a week. | | | | someone you know has) call 911 immediately. Do |
| 4. Control your high blood pressure | | | | not delay. If you can get early treatment (within |
| 5. Increase your dietary intake of fiber (to at | | | | the first hour) you may be able to prevent |
| least 15 grams a day). | | | | permanent brain damage. |
| 6. Lose weight. | | | | |