Public Stroke Prevention Guidelines Up to 80% of all strokes are preventable. National Stroke Association's stroke prevention guidelines will help you learn how you may be able to lower your risk for a first stroke. The Stroke Prevention Guidelines were established by National Stroke Association's  Stroke Prevention Advisory Board, an elite group of the nation's leading experts on stroke prevention. They were first published in a 1999 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and have been updated to reflect current medical standards. National Stroke Association suggests you ask your doctor for advice on how to best use these guidelines. Stroke Prevention Guidelines Know your blood pressure. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation. If you smoke, stop. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Find out if you have high cholesterol If you are diabetic... Exercise. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet. Circulation (movement of the blood through the heart and blood vessels) problems. Know the Symptoms of Stroke.