Course

Secondary prevention essentials (Intro)

A beginner-friendly, action-focused course on reducing future stroke risk: blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, AFib awareness, medications, and sustainable habits (no dosing/targets; follow your care plan)

Secondary PreventionCaregiver, SurvivorIntro90 minPlain (6–8)

Educational only

Educational only — not medical advice. Follow your clinician’s prevention plan and call instructions.

Get help now

If you have sudden new stroke symptoms (weakness, speech trouble, vision loss, severe headache, severe dizziness/imbalance), call emergency services immediately.

What you'll learn

  • Explain why ‘secondary prevention’ matters after stroke/TIA
  • Build a simple home routine for key risk factors (BP, meds, follow-ups)
  • Know which topics to ask clinicians about (AFib, diabetes, smoking, sleep)
  • Leave with a personalized prevention checklist

8 lessons in this course

  1. 1Preventing another stroke: the basics (secondary prevention)Secondary prevention basics for survivors/caregivers: major risk-factor buckets, question scripts, mini-quiz, and bucket-matching game10 min
  2. 2Home blood pressure tracking after stroke (patient-friendly)A simple, safe guide to tracking blood pressure at home and bringing useful information to clinicians (no target numbers; follow your plan)15 min
  3. 3Medications overview: antiplatelets, anticoagulants, statins (high-level)Safety-first overview of stroke-prevention medication categories (antiplatelets, anticoagulants, statins), adherence basics, red flags, and questions to ask clinicians12 min
  4. 4Smoking/vaping and stroke risk (quitting supports)Non-judgmental nicotine quitting module: stroke risk basics, 2-week quit/cut-down plan, trigger replacement practice, and resource links8 min
  5. 5Diabetes and stroke: risk, recovery considerations, and caregiver checklistHigh-level explanation of how diabetes affects blood vessels and recovery, plus a caregiver-friendly checklist of what to track and what questions to ask clinicians (no medical targets)15 min
  6. 6AFib and stroke: the heart rhythm story (plain-language explainer)Explains atrial fibrillation (AFib) at a high level, how it can lead to clots and stroke, what monitoring may look like, and why blood thinners may be used (no individual recommendations)12 min
  7. 7Sleep and stroke risk (screening + habits)Sleep and stroke risk module covering sleep apnea red flags, a simple 3-habit routine, clinician question scripts, mini-quiz, and routine-builder game10 min
  8. 8Nutrition patterns for stroke prevention (Mediterranean-style overview)Mediterranean-style nutrition overview for stroke prevention with simple swaps, swallowing-safe notes, mini-quiz, and grocery-cart game12 min

Lesson sequence

  • 1. Secondary prevention basics (what it is + why it matters)
  • 2. Home BP tracking (how to measure + what to report)
  • 3. Medications overview + adherence supports (no med changes)
  • 4. Smoking/vaping quitting supports (what helps)
  • 5. Diabetes and stroke (why glucose control matters)
  • 6. AFib and stroke (why rhythm matters)
  • 7. Sleep and stroke risk (sleep apnea awareness)
  • 8. Nutrition patterns (heart-healthy basics)

Capstone

  • Write your prevention checklist
  • Prepare 5 questions for your next visit

Practice check

Check your understanding

A few untimed questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback, then continue to the next lesson.

0 of 3 answered

Question 1

1. Secondary prevention focuses on lowering risk of another stroke.

Question 2

2. A helpful next step for prevention is to…

Question 3

3. A condition that can raise stroke risk and may show up as loud snoring + daytime sleepiness is…

References

  1. AHA/ASA logo
  2. CDC logo
  3. NHLBI logo