How Seniors Can Reduce Stroke Risk and Protect Brain Health

Stroke risk increases with age, but the good news is that many strokes are preventable. By understanding your personal risk factors and taking small, consistent steps, you can protect your brain health and maintain your independence as you age.

Whether you are traveling, spending time with family or simply enjoying daily routines, prioritizing stroke prevention can help you continue doing the things you love.

Understanding Your Stroke Risk

Several common health conditions increase the likelihood of stroke, especially among older adults. These include:

• High blood pressure—the leading cause of stroke
• Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation (AFib)—the most common form of irregular heart rhythm
• High cholesterol
• Limited physical activity or smoking

The challenge is that many of these conditions do not always cause noticeable symptoms. For example, high blood pressure is often called the “silent condition” because it can go unnoticed without regular checkups.

The most important step is simple: Know your numbers. See your primary care physician at least once a year for a preventive visit and complete any recommended blood work. Review your blood pressure, blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels with your doctor. Monitoring these numbers over time can help identify changes early and determine whether lifestyle changes, closer monitoring or treatment may be needed.

Small Steps That Make a Big Difference

You do not need to overhaul your lifestyle overnight to reduce stroke risk. Small, manageable changes can have a meaningful impact over time.

Here are a few practical ways to get started:

• Take medications as prescribed: This is one of the most effective ways to manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure or AFib.
• Stay active most days of the week: A brisk walk around your neighborhood, a morning stretch routine or water aerobics can help improve circulation and overall heart health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity on most days.
• Choose heart-healthy meals: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins while limiting salt and processed foods.
• Keep follow-up appointments: Routine screenings and checkups allow your care team to catch any health changes early.
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol use can increase your risk of stroke.

These changes can support both your long-term health and your independence. Even everyday activities, such as walking to the park or playing outdoors with your grandchildren, can help you stay active. But while healthy habits and appropriate medical care can lower your risk, they cannot prevent every stroke.

Recognizing Stroke Warning Signs

That is why it is important to recognize the warning signs and act quickly. We often say, “Time is brain,” because the sooner emergency care begins, the greater the opportunity to limit brain damage and long-term disability.

A helpful way to remember the signs is the acronym BE FAST:

• B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
• E – Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• F – Face: One side of the face droops or feels numb
• A – Arms: One arm is weak or drifts downward
• S – Speech: Speech is slurred or difficult to understand
• T – Time: If you notice any of these signs, call 911 immediately

Other symptoms may include sudden confusion, dizziness or a severe headache with no known cause. Stroke treatments are time-sensitive, so do not wait, drive yourself or dismiss symptoms that improve. Call 911 immediately so the medical team can quickly diagnose the type of stroke and begin the appropriate treatment. Acting quickly can reduce the risk of long-term disability and improve the opportunity for recovery.

Medically reviewed by:

Abdullah Ibish, M.D., neurologist, MemorialCare Neuroscience Institute, Saddleback Medical Center

About the Author:

Abdullah Ibish, M.D., is a neurologist with MemorialCare Neuroscience Institute at Saddleback Medical Center who specializes in vascular and stroke neurology, traumatic brain injury and neurocritical care. He completed fellowships in stroke and neurocritical care and is board-certified in both subspecialties. Dr. Ibish completed his stroke fellowship at the USC Keck School of Medicine and Los Angeles County Medical Center, served as a clinical instructor in neurocritical care at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He also has served as a sub-investigator on numerous stroke and vascular dementia clinical trials. Dr. Ibish encourages patients and families to know the location of the nearest Comprehensive Stroke Center, where specialized teams, advanced imaging and treatment capabilities are available to evaluate and treat complex strokes when every minute matters.