Stroke Prevention and Recovery

Also known asStroke · Stroke Prevention · Stroke Recovery · Cerebrovascular Disease · Mini Stroke · TIA · 中风 · 脑卒中 · Strok

What it is

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked (an ischaemic stroke, the most common kind) or a blood vessel in the brain bursts (a haemorrhagic stroke). Brain cells begin to die within minutes. A "mini-stroke" (TIA) causes the same symptoms for a short time and is a warning.

High blood pressure is the biggest single risk factor. Others are high cholesterol, diabetes, atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), smoking, excess weight, inactivity and heavy drinking.

How food and lifestyle can help

Prevention. Controlling blood pressure matters most, so the eating pattern for High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease applies: less salt, plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts and fish, and less processed meat and sugary drinks.

Recovery. After a stroke, eating can be harder. Swallowing problems (dysphagia) are common and can let food or drink go down the wrong way, so ask for a swallowing assessment from a speech and language therapist or dietitian, and follow any texture or thickened-fluid advice exactly. Enough protein and energy supports rehabilitation; small, frequent meals, adapted cutlery and help with shopping and cooking can all make a difference.

Foods and nutrients to focus on

1. Vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans and nuts.
2. Potassium-rich foods, unless your kidney doctor has told you to limit them (potassium).
3. Oily fish twice a week.
4. After a stroke: protein at every meal (eggs, fish, tofu, dairy, beans) and enough fluids.

Foods and drinks to limit

1. Salt and salty sauces, processed and preserved foods (sodium).
2. Processed and fatty meat, sugary drinks, and heavy alcohol use.

Good to know

1. If you take a blood thinner such as warfarin, keep your leafy-green intake steady and follow your clinic's advice.
2. Do not thicken drinks or change food textures yourself unless you have been assessed.

When to see a doctor

1. Act FAST: a drooping Face, weak Arm, difficulty with Speech, then Time to call your local emergency number. Call at once, even if the symptoms pass.
2. Coughing or choking when eating or drinking, or a wet-sounding voice after swallowing.
3. Your blood pressure, cholesterol or heartbeat has never been checked.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have a medical condition or take medicines, check changes to your diet with your doctor or a registered dietitian.

NHS — Stroke, used for the main facts: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/