Lifestyle Modification for Secondary Stroke Prevention

Abstract

Of nearly 800 000 strokes that occur annually, 23% are recurrent events. Risk for disability and mortality is higher following a recurrent stroke than following a first-time stroke, which makes secondary stroke prevention a priority. Many risk factors for stroke are modifiable and amenable to improvement through lifestyle modification. Lifestyle modification can be difficult for people with stroke, however, in part because of stroke-related physical and cognitive deficits. Despite these challenges, risk factor management through lifestyle modification is important. This article reviews the multiple cardiovascular and metabolic benefits associated with the modification of several lifestyle behaviors: diet, physical activity, smoking cessation, and alcohol consumption. Health behavior theories and existing lifestyle intervention programs are also reviewed to identify important behavioral and cognitive skills that can be used to facilitate modification of health behaviors, and practical skills and suggestions for health care providers are provided.

Prevalence of five lifestyle risk factors among U.S. adults with and without stroke

“…Smoking can acutely increase heart rate, blood pressure and arterial stiffness, which is particularly problematic for stroke survivors with hypertension. 16 For this reason, clinical guidelines recommend smoking cessation for current smokers. 1 Little is known about how stroke survivors modify their smoking behavior after stroke.…”

“…High alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk for hypertension and diabetes, which increases risk for recurrent stroke and secondary conditions. 16 The American Heart Association recommends that adults with stroke who are heavy drinkers should eliminate or reduce their alcohol consumption, and counsels that nondrinkers should not be counseled to begin drinking. 1 The results presented here suggest multiple avenues for further exploration that were beyond the scope of investigation in this brief report.…”

Assessing Lifestyle Behaviours of People Living with Neurological Conditions: A Panoramic View of Community Dwelling Australians from 2007–2018

“…Physical activity has been shown to have benefits for healthy aging and neuroplasticity [ 12 , 13 ], with a minimum of 150 min/week of moderate-intense activity being the international recommendation for adults in maintaining a healthy lifestyle [ 14 , 15 ]. Smoking is similarly well-established as a risk factor for dementia, stroke and MS [ 6 , 16 , 17 ]; its role for PD risk remains debatable with some studies showing a protective effect [ 5 , 18 ]. Cognitive reserve, enhanced by engaging in physical, leisure and intellectually stimulating activities, may be a mechanism for protection against cognitive and functional decline in the presence of brain pathology [ 6 ].…”

Abdominal obesity in stroke: an exploratory survey of stroke survivors attending physiotherapy facilities in Nigeria

“…It is, however, important to note that a previous stroke is not the sole contributor to the risk of a recurrent stroke. Rather, in addition to a history of stroke, the presence of other established stroke risk factors heightens the risk of recurrent stroke especially those risk factors that existed prior to the first-ever stroke [6,7]. With the debilitation that often accompanies stroke, primary prevention and secondary prevention of stroke remain the best and most cost-effective option [1,7].…”

“…Smoking cessation, reduction in alcohol intake, weight reduction, and regular physical activity are common lifestyle modifications that are often emphasized in achieving stroke prevention, either for first-ever or recurrent stroke [7][8].…”