Discharge Instructions for Stroke

 You may have been diagnosed with a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or have a high risk for a stroke or a TIA. During a stroke, blood stops flowing to part of your brain due to a blocked or ruptured leak in the blood vessel. This can damage areas in the brain that control other parts of the body. Symptoms after a stroke depend on which part of the brain has been affected.

Stroke risk factors

Once you have had a stroke, you are at greater risk for another one. Listed below are some other factors that can increase your risk for a stroke:

• Diabetes
• Carotid or other artery disease
• Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or other heart disease
• Certain blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia
• Race
• Gender
• Family history of stroke
• Brain aneurysm
• Blood clotting disorder
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Cigarette or cigar smoking
• Not being physically active
• Obesity
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Abusing street drugs
• Diet high in salty, fried, or greasy foods

Changes in daily living 

Doing your regular tasks may be difficult after you have had a stroke, but you can learn new ways to manage your daily activities. In fact, doing daily activities may help you to regain muscle strength. This can also help your affected arm or leg work more normally. Be patient, give yourself time to adjust, and appreciate the progress you make.

Daily activities

You may be at risk of falling. Make changes to your home to help you walk more easily. A therapist will decide if you need an assistive device, such as a cane or walker, to walk safely.

You may need to see an occupational therapist (OT) or a physical therapist (PT). These healthcare providers can help you to learn new ways of doing things. For example, you may need to make changes in how you bathe or dress. You may also need a speech therapist. This is someone who helps you speak normally again and be able to swallow.

Tips for showering or bathing

• Test the water temperature with a hand or foot that was not affected by the stroke.
• Use grab bars, a shower seat, a hand-held showerhead, and a long-handled brush.
• Use any other assistive device as advised by your therapists.

Tips for getting dressed

• Dress while sitting, starting with the affected side or limb.
• Wear shirts that pull easily over your head. Wear pants or skirts with elastic waistbands.
• Use zippers with loops attached to the pull tabs.

Lifestyle changes

• Take your medicines exactly as directed. Do not skip doses.
• Begin an exercise program. Ask your provider how to get started. Also, ask how much activity is recommended on a daily or weekly basis. You can benefit from simple activities such as walking or gardening.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink. Men should have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day. Women should limit themselves to one alcoholic drink per day.
• Know your cholesterol level. Follow your provider’s recommendations about how to keep cholesterol under control.
• If you are a smoker, quit now. Join a stop-smoking program to improve your chances of success. Ask your provider about medicines or other methods to help you quit.
• Learn stress management techniques to help you deal with stress in your home and work life.

Diet

Your healthcare provider will give you information on changes you may need to make to your diet, based on your situation. Your provider may recommend that you see a registered dietitian for help with diet changes. The changes can improve your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Changes may include:

• Reducing the amount of fat and cholesterol you eat
• Reducing the amount of salt (sodium) in your diet, especially if you have high blood pressure
• Eating more fresh vegetables and fruits
• Eating more lean proteins, such as fish, poultry, and beans and peas (legumes)
• Eating less red meat and processed meats
• Using low-fat dairy products
• Limiting vegetable oils and nut oils
• Limiting sweets and processed foods such as chips, cookies, and baked goods
• Not eating trans fats. These are often found in processed foods. Do not eat any food that has hydrogenated listed in its ingredients.

Follow-up care

• Keep your medical appointments. Close follow-up is important to stroke rehabilitation and recovery.
• Some medicines require blood tests to check for progress or problems. Keep follow-up appointments for any blood tests ordered by your providers.  

©2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. This information has been modified by your healthcare provider with permission from the publisher.