The odds of having a stroke become much greater for those who have suffered a stroke in the past. It is vital for patients who have already suffered a first stroke to take the important precautions in their daily life to fight off the risks of having a secondary stroke. There are three key factors that you must be aware of when making adjustments to your lifestyle.

Stroke prevention starts with you. You have the choice to makbe changes in your life that can help ward off a secondary stroke. It surprises me how many stroke victims never get the first message to make changes in their life with their first stroke, as they still continue to engage in unhealthy habits. If you smoke, you are putting yourself at risk for a secondary stroke. Also, heavy drinking can be linked to possible causes of secondary strokes. How about your body weight, are you overweight, if you are you must lose the weight, and start a regular exercise routine, as this will help toward your prevention.

Surgery may be another option that you and your doctor decide on for secondary stroke prevention. Although surgery can be frightening, it may be the best option for you. One form of common surgery to ward off stroke is carotid endarterectomy. With this procedure basically the inner lining of the carotid artery is surgically removed.

Finally, watch what you eat, there are foods that you can eat that aid your cause in stroke prevention. Make sure to eat 5 to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Always eat foods that are low in fat and cholesterol, and when at all possible keep away from refined sugar, and limit your consumption of salt to no more the 2,4oo milligrams per day.

As mentioned earlier, stroke prevention will always begin with you, so make sure to take your health seriously, a health life is a happy life.