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Stroke: The more intention about risk, the more proper prevention | Part 5
12 July, 2023
Confident and proactive before a stroke. All you need to know for adequate care and prevention. Don’t let a lack of information threaten your heart health. Check out this article for more details on the causes, symptoms, prevention and improvement of your health.
A healthy balanced diet is essential and will help to prevent stroke. Fatty foods, e.g., cheese, butter, cream, and semi-skimmed milk, should be eaten in moderation instead of total fat. You should also eat at least five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day. They are a good fibre source and contain anti-oxidants that are thought to protect against heart disease and strokes. A portion is about 80g (3 ounces) – an apple, an orange or a glass of orange juice, a large carrot, two broccoli florets, a bowl of mixed green salad, a handful of grapes or three tablespoons of peas.
Don’t overeat red meat – choose fish, poultry (with skin removed), game or vegetarian alternatives. Most red meat is high in saturated fat, contributing to the arteries furring. You need some fat in your diet, but too much can clog up your arteries and add to weight problems.
Aim for two portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily, e.g. mackerel, sardines, salmon or fresh tuna.
Fibre-rich foods help control blood fat levels and protect against atherosclerosis (furring of the arteries). According to research, three portions a day of wholegrain cereals can almost halve the risk of stroke. It is suspected that this may be because cereals contain folic acid and are also rich in other B vitamins, which help lower levels of homocysteine, a chemical found in the blood that is thought to raise the risk of stroke.
Soluble fibre, which helps to lower blood fat levels, includes fruit and vegetables, porridge oats and pulses (e.g. peas, lentils and beans–including baked beans). Insoluble fibre, which helps to keep bowels healthy and functioning, includes whole-meal bread and wholegrain cereals. When increasing your fibre, you will need plenty of drinks. Aim for 8-10 cups of fluid daily, for example, water, tea, coffee or sugar-free drinks.
About your medication
When you leave the hospital, you will receive a supply of medication. We advise that you or your carer contact your GP surgery to arrange for a repeat prescription soon after you return home.
You may also be advised to contact your GP/Community Pharmacist to assess your suitability for a medication (dosette) box to help you manage your medication at home. These boxes contain the drugs you need to take every day for a week.
You must take medication only by the doctor’s directions.
Keep all medicines in a safe place, out of reach of children.
Never take medicines from unlabeled containers.
Never share prescribed medication with others.
Never transfer medication from one container to another.
Return all unwanted medication to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
You must continue to take ALL your medication as prescribed regularly. Please do not stop taking your medication without discussing it with your GP first.
Always read the label.
Common medicines used in stroke care
Antihypertensives
This group of drugs helps to lower blood pressure. They all work in slightly different ways. Your doctor may have to try on several different ones before you find the most suitable one that positively affects your blood pressure. Your blood pressure must be checked regularly, preferably every three months following a stroke, as high blood pressure increases your risk of further stroke.
Lipid regulators and statins
Lipid regulators are a group of drugs that can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. They do this by reducing your cholesterol level. Statin drugs such as simvastatin, pravastatin and atorvastatin are used to lower cholesterol. They may have other beneficial effects on the blood vessels themselves and slow down the progression of fatty deposits.
Antidepressants
These are drugs to help relieve symptoms of low mood following stroke.
Antiplatelets and anticoagulant therapy
These drugs help prevent blood clots, which can sometimes block blood vessels and cause a stroke. These medications include aspirin, dipyridamole and clopidogrel.
Aspirin has been found to make some cells in the blood (called platelets) less sticky.
This reduces the blood’s ability to clot, thus reducing the risk of stroke. Aspirin is a relatively safe drug but can irritate the stomach lining. It is best to take aspirin with food. If you have recurrent stomach upsets, then please see your doctor. Some people are allergic to aspirin. Drugs such as Persantin (dipyridamole) or clopidogrel work similarly to aspirin and may be used in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, aspirin. Persantin can cause headaches in some people when they start to use it. Try persevering for a week or so, as the headaches usually disappear. If they continue, please see your GP.
If you have a heart condition such as atrial fibrillation, you may be prescribed Warfarin instead of aspirin. Warfarin also thins the blood but requires regular blood tests to ensure your blood is not too thin or thick.
Not everyone who has had a stroke is given medication. If you have had a brain haemorrhage, your doctor will not give you medicines to thin the blood. Speak to your GP for more information.
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