How to Prevent a Stroke

A stroke can happen suddenly with little warning. But many of the risk factors for stroke are preventable. Improving your overall health can significantly reduce your risk of stroke. People with a family history of stroke should be especially careful about managing their risk.

What Are Risk Factors for Stroke?

Some of the most serious risk factors for stroke are:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Smoking

High blood pressure and cholesterol can damage your blood vessels and cause fat to accumulate on the walls of your arteries, increasing your risk of stroke. Smoking also damages your arteries and raises your risk of blood clots.

Preventive Measures

Here are some preventive measures you can take:

  • Check your numbers frequently - Regularly check your blood pressure and cholesterol to monitor your health.
  • Lower your blood pressure - If your blood pressure is high, ask your doctor about ways to lower it, such as:
    • Exercise
    • Weight loss
    • Medications
  • Lower your cholesterol - If you have high cholesterol, you can lower it by eating foods high in fiber, such as oatmeal, beans, and apples, as well as foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as fish and walnuts.
  • Quit smoking - Talk with your doctor about ways to quit smoking. Get started with our Nicotine and Tobacco Recovery program.

Let’s prevent stroke together.

Stroke is a medical emergency and time counts. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you’re with is exhibiting symptoms, such as blurred vision, facial drooping, one-sided body weakness, problems speaking or being understood and/or a sudden and severe headache.

Stroke prevention tips:

  • Monitor and lower blood pressure
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Take steps to manage stress
  • Don’t smoke, but if you do, consider quitting
  • Know your cholesterol and blood sugar levels (A1C) (LDL)
  • Eat well
  • Exercise regularly
  • If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, be sure it is managed
  • Take medication as prescribed by your doctor

Building a relationship with a Primary Care Physician (PCP) is one of the best ways to maintain good health, manage chronic health conditions and monitor and address risk factors for conditions such as stroke and heart disease. To be connected with an RWJBarnabas Health PCP, visit rwjbh.org/medicalgroup or call 888-724-7123.

Patient Stories

  • "Time is Brain,” isn’t just a catchy tagline, Dr. Rybinnik notes. Parts of the brain can die if they do not receive proper blood flow for too long

    Rosemary
    Read More
  • "From the ED to rehab, everyone at RWJUH Somerset was very attentive. They helped me in any way I needed."

    Anthony
    Read More
  • “I got this miracle shot, and I hope it helps other people like it helped me. I’m blessed, lucky and grateful.”

    Joyce
    Read More

Patient Stories

  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
94 Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-5000
View
Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 222-5200
View
Clara Maass Medical Center
1 Clara Maass Drive
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 450-2000
View
Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-8000
View
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Jersey City Medical Center
355 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2000
View
RWJ University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 381-4200
View
RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 685-2200
View
The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center
300 2nd Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-7250
View
Jersey City Medical Center's Ambulatory Care Center
395 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07304
(201) 915-2410
View
RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
1 Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 586-7900
View
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
1 Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
View
Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
600 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-1900
View

Stroke Treatment & Care

offered at these locations in your neighborhood

View All Locations