Stroke Patient Portfolio (PDF) - Buckinghamshire County Council

Preventing a StrokeIf you also have diabetes, an NHSeducation course is available aboutthe specific problems faced by peoplewith Type 2 diabetes. The course isrun by specialists including dietetics,physiotherapy and podiatry. Call 01296318655 for information about venues,dates and times. Your GP may also referyou to a dietician if you need help withyour diet. Stroke is not hereditary, but if a closefamily member has had a stroke, some ofthe risk factors may be hereditary such ashigh blood pressure or diabetes.People of African-Caribbean and Asiandescent are likely to have strokes morethan people of other ethnic groups.This is linked to high incidences of highblood pressure and diabetes. It is veryimportant, therefore, to have regularhealth checks.Many people think that a stroke is causedby stress. Stress does not actually causea stroke but it can affect blood pressurewhich can contribute to the risk ofstroke. ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßEat more fruit and vegetablesDrink a glass of fruit juiceevery daySprinkle some fresh or driedfruit on your cerealEat some oily fish – pilchards,sardines, mackerelEat more white meat andless red meatEat cheese and dairy productsin moderationDrink less alcoholChoose low fat dairy productsUse less salt in cooking andat the tableDrink plenty of fluidsGrill, steam, bake ormicrowave. Don’t fry.Avoid adding oil to food whenyou are cookingUse a mono/polyunsaturatedmargarine and spread verythinly on breadUse semi-skimmed orskimmed milkCut out high fat snacks suchas crisps, biscuits, cakes andchocolates. Try fruit, tea cakesor muffins.33