We can reduce the risk of having a stroke or minimize the damage caused by a stroke if we have one.

We can follow the Center for Disease Control’s Million Hearts ABCs program:

Aspirin for people at risk;

Blood pressure control (more here, here, and here), and you can take steps to reduce blood pressure;

Cholesterol management (by taking statins, if necessary, but also increasing HDL levels—though not by using a niacin supplement); and

Smoking cessation (more here, here, and here)

The American Heart Association adds (and more here):

Treat your sleep apnea (more here and here);

Avoid trans fats; and

Drink alcohol in moderation.

Online tools can help with motivation and compliance.

We can

Exercise (more here);

Cultivate a positive attitude;

Avoid sitting for long periods of time;

Get enough sleep (more here);

Stop worrying and reduce stress (here are some techniques):

Reduce triglyceride levels (more here) and get treatment for anemia and heart arrhythmia, if you have them;

Eat fish several times a week (more here), but not fried, especially not fried in trans fat or animal fat;

Eat dark leafy greens and other potassium rich foods (more here--bananas and other fruits and vegetables, as well as fish, poultry and dairy, but the best sources are sweet potato and tomato paste), as well as magnesium rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains;

Eat a lot of fiber;

Eat chocolate (more here);

Eat cranberries or drink the juice, and eat citrus fruit;

Get enough folate and vitamin B12 (more here on B12) and vitamin D, especially if you’re white;

Use omega-3 vegetable oils for salad dressings and cooking, especially olive oil and canola oil;

Drink coffee (more here);

Reduce salt intake (but maybe not), or maybe just make sure you get the right balance between potassium and salt (more here);

Avoid sugary drinks and even diet sodas

Avoid red meat (more here);

Get treatment for peripheral artery disease, if you have it, as well as irregular heartbeat, depression, and periodontal disease;

Avoid breaking a hip; and

Don’t live near loud traffic noise.