Control blood pressure
Keep cholesterol in a healthy range
Manage diabetes or prediabetes
Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
Limit alcohol intake
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly (at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity)
Eat a healthy diet (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, low saturated fat, low trans fat, low sodium)
Reduce sodium intake
Limit added sugars and refined carbohydrates
If you have atrial fibrillation or other heart rhythm problems, take prescribed therapy (including anticoagulants if indicated)
Take antiplatelet or anticoagulant medicines exactly as prescribed if you’ve had TIA or stroke or have high risk conditions
Treat sleep apnea if diagnosed
Avoid recreational drugs (especially cocaine and amphetamines)
Manage stress and mental health
Stay up to date with preventive care and screenings
Manage sickle cell disease and other inherited blood disorders if applicable
If you have symptoms of stroke, call emergency services immediately (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, sudden vision loss, sudden severe headache, dizziness, or loss of balance)