What to do Instead of Having Another Stroke

What to do instead of having another stroke prevention checklist thumbnail

Download the Stroke Prevention Checklist (PDF)

American Stroke Association®, a division of the American Heart Association

Getting to the Heart of Stroke™

About one in four stroke survivors suffers a second one—but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Reduce your risk. Work with your doctor to create a secondary stroke prevention plan and stick with it.

Prevention Checklist

I plan to take these steps instead of having another stroke:

  • □ Know the cause of my stroke
  • □ Manage high blood pressure
  • □ Control cholesterol
  • □ Reduce blood sugar
  • □ Be active
  • □ Eat better
  • □ Lose weight
  • □ Stop smoking
  • □ Be involved in my treatment plan decisions
  • □ Take medications as prescribed
  • □ Join a program that includes exercise, education and counseling

When stroke strikes, every second counts.

A stroke is always a medical emergency. The longer it goes untreated the greater the chance of lasting damage. Time lost is brain lost. Learn to recognize the signs of stroke using the letters B-E-F-A-S-T.

B.E. F.A.S.T. 
B is for Balance Loss
E is for Eye (Vision) Changes
F is for Face Drooping
A is for Arm Weakness
S is for Speech Difficulty
T is for Time to Call 911


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American Stroke Association and Getting to the Heart of Stroke are registered trademarks of the American Heart Association. Unauthorized use prohibited. WF-1465262 4/26

The HCA Healthcare Foundation is the national sponsor of Getting to the Heart of Stroke™.