Cause of Initial Stroke Guides Future Stroke Prevention Strategies

Kevin M. Barrett, M.D., M.Sc.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC:

I had a stroke a month ago. I'm 35 years old. I maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a good diet. What steps can I take to make sure this doesn't happen again?

ANSWER:

For someone who has had a stroke, the critical element for effectively reducing the risk of recurrence is understanding the most likely cause of the original stroke. That will guide your stroke prevention strategies going forward.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or significantly reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients and causing brain cells to die. Stroke has several common causes. A frequent cause is the narrowing of the arteries in the neck that carry blood to the brain (carotid arteries) due to fatty deposits. A tear or injury in the wall of a blood vessel, blood-clotting disorders and other cardiac conditions also can result in strokes, particularly in people like you who are younger than 45. If any of these caused your stroke, treatment and prevention should be targeted to that particular condition.

For about 35 percent of people who have a stroke, a specific cause can't be identified (cryptogenic stroke). If this is your situation, the goal should be to work with your primary care physician or neurologist to pinpoint any stroke risk factors you have that can be modified and, insofar as possible, reduce your risk.

Some stroke risk factors cannot be changed. For example, gender, ethnicity, age and family medical history all play a role in stroke risk. Men are more likely than women to have a stroke. Asians and African-Americans are also at increased risk. After age 55, your stroke risk doubles each decade.

Focusing on modifiable risk factors can have a big impact. For instance, a variety of treatable medical conditions can significantly affect your stroke risk. People who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or uncontrolled diabetes are all at increased risk. If you have any of these, talk to your doctor about developing an effective treatment plan. If you have elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol, for example, taking a statin drug could lower not only your cholesterol, but also your stroke risk.

In addition to managing any underlying medical conditions, lifestyle choices can also help. You mention that you exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. Both are important. Exercise can lower your blood pressure, increase your level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol, and improve the health of your blood vessels and heart. It can also help you lose weight, control diabetes and reduce stress. A good goal is to participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days.

A diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in cholesterol and saturated fat can reduce your stroke risk, as well as help you maintain a healthy weight. That's important, because being overweight contributes to other risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Other stroke prevention lifestyle changes you can make include quitting smoking and keeping alcohol intake to less than one to two drinks per day.

Depending on your medical history, preventive medications may also be appropriate. Antiplatelet drugs -- such as aspirin, aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole (Aggrenox) or clopidogrel (Plavix) -- can make your blood less likely to form clots. Anticoagulant medication, such as heparin or warfarin, also could be helpful in stroke prevention if you have certain heart problems or a blood-clotting disorder.

The bottom line is that you can take steps to reduce your risk of another stroke. But the specific measures that are right for you depend in large part on your medical history. Talk to your doctor about the stroke prevention approach that best fits your situation

Kevin M. Barrett, M.D., M.Sc., Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla.

Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn't replace regular medical care.

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