Preventing another stroke: the basics (secondary prevention)

Secondary prevention basics for survivors/caregivers: major risk-factor buckets, question scripts, mini-quiz, and bucket-matching game

Secondary PreventionEveryoneIntro10 minPlain (6–8)

Educational only

Educational only — treatment plans must be made with your clinical team.

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If new stroke symptoms occur, call emergency services immediately (even if you have a prior stroke history).

What you'll learn

  • Define secondary prevention
  • List major risk factor categories
  • Explain why medication adherence matters

What secondary prevention means

  • Reducing risk of another stroke
  • Plan is personalized

Big risk-factor buckets

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Heart rhythm (AFib)
  • Smoking
  • Activity

Follow-up care

  • Keep appointments
  • Bring questions
  • Track BP if advised

Medication safety

  • Do not stop meds without clinician advice

Practice check

Check your understanding

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

0 of 1 answered

Question 1

1. Stopping stroke-prevention medications without talking to your clinician can be dangerous.

References

  1. AHA/ASA logo
  2. American Stroke Association logo
    American Stroke Association
    Secondary Stroke Prevention Checklist