What can I do to prevent another stroke?

[Canuck1948]

I had a stroke 2½ years ago - I spent time in hospital and rehab.  I recovered very well;  but last week I had what I thought was the start of another stroke, it turned out to be a TIA.  I am 62 years of age, and work full time; I don't smoke, exercise daily, drink an occasional glass of red wine and eat healthily.  Now I am so worried that I will have another massive stroke and that I won't be as lucky next time.  The only symptoms that I have from my TIA are intense weakness and fatigue and an ongoing nagging headache.  I'm not making things better by worrying I know, but I can't help it.  I have been taking 81mg asprin and blood pressure tablets ever since I had the stroke.  I used to take Crestor, but couldn't deal with the leg cramps, so I stopped and my doctor says to manage my high cholesterol with diet.  I am waiting to see a neurologist.  I have booked a holiday in Italy in May and I'm so looking forward to going, but I worry that something will happen when I'm there and I won't be covered for it.  Does anybody have any ideas of what else I could do to avoid another stroke?

[lark4220]

Check your health insurance now and see what it covers if you are out of the country. I did this on my last trip since a health issue came up right before I left and I was liable for the first $5000 then it was covered at 80%.( I didn't need it.) You might want to purchase a health policy for your trip. After a stoke, I would think you would be on a blood thinning medicine. I've had a TIA, went on aspirin, then had blood clots in major veins and now on coumadin. I have a family history of strokes. Wear special hose on the flight that fights blood clots and exercise your legs, Drinking wine in Italy will help too!

[bachan]

my mother have two very small blood clot in her brain . could this kill her .THE doctor say it not dangerous is this true

[oc1dean]

Clots can be lessened by aspirin(your doctor would need to tell you the level) or other blood thinning drugs. You will need to find out where the clot came from - thru a PFO in your heart, carotid artery tear with a clot letting go, or plaque in your arteries that let go. There are probably many other possibilities but your doctor is the only one qualified to tell you about your situation

[Canuck1948]

Hi oc1dean - Yes sorry - it was a clot - does it make a difference?  I didn't know that.

[oc1dean]

Well it is hard to say since you didn't mention if it was a bleed or clot but your doctor should be able to give you options based on the diagnosis of the stroke. 85% of strokes are clot based, 15% are bleeds.