How can you prevent a TIA?

TIAs and other types of strokes are sometimes unavoidable, but you can take precautions to help prevent TIAs. Follow these TIA and stroke prevention tips.

• Don’t smoke.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Eat a healthy diet with more fruits and vegetables.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• Don’t use illicit drugs.
• Control your diabetes.
• Reduce your sodium intake.
• Limit your cholesterol and fat intake, especially saturated and trans fats.
• Make sure your blood pressure is under good control.
• Reduce stress.

   Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes may be necessary to reduce your risk of future TIAs or strokes. Medications and other medical interventions may not be enough. These lifestyle changes include:

• exercising
• losing weight
• reducing your sodium intake
• eating more fruits and vegetables
• reducing your intake of fried or sugary foods
• getting enough sleep
• reducing stress
• improving your control of other medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol

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