Physical Therapy and Its Role in Managing Secondary Stroke Risks

Experiencing a stroke is a life-changing event; it’s also life-threatening. What’s more dangerous than that is experiencing a second stroke, as it puts you at a higher risk of a fatal event. Patients who experience a stroke are at high risk for recurrent strokes, but this can be prevented with active efforts, including lifestyle changes, physical therapy for stroke in Miami, and taking proper medications as prescribed by your doctor.

Understanding secondary stroke

As high as 23 percent of stroke survivors can experience a second stroke. However, understanding the cause of the first stroke and engaging in prevention efforts can reduce the second stroke risk.

Seeing your loved one’s life change instantly because of a stroke can bring a series of emotions, which can be terrifying. But it’s a lot scarier to deal with a recurring stroke after the first one, and the chances of it happening are high. Therefore, learning and recognizing the warning signs of an impending stroke can make a lot of difference and save a life.

Red Flags You Need To Look Out For

It’s important to be familiar with the warning signs, and if your loved one is showing any of these signs, a recurring stroke may occur, and it’s best to act fast and seek emergency care. 

• Sudden vision troubles from one or both eyes
• Sudden issues and difficulty walking, coordination, dizziness, and/or balance
• Sudden trouble with speaking, confusion, memory, judgment, or understanding
• Sudden weakness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden severe headache or, as stroke survivors call it – the worst headache of their life
• Difficulty swallowing

Knowing the time the symptoms start appearing is also very important, as there are stroke treatments that can only be given within 3 hours from when symptoms occur. In a stroke emergency, every minute counts!

If you’re caring for a stroke survivor, it may help you remember the secondary stroke symptoms we mentioned above by familiarizing yourself with the F.A.S.T. warning signs. These are:

F – Face drooping

A- Arms weakness

S – Slurred Speech

T – Time to call for emergency

By thinking on your feet in identifying signs and symptoms of a recurrent stroke, you may save a life. In addition, as caregivers, it’s also helpful to know that there are ways to prevent a recurring stroke from happening that can help your loved one reclaim their life and reach their maximum recovery potential.

3 Ways That Can Help Prevent a Second Stroke

Surviving the first stroke is half the battle. This life-changing event may require a period of recovery to let you normally live again. Here are three ways to help prevent a stroke from happening again:

#1. Quit bad habits

If you’re a smoker, quitting is one of the best things you can do to benefit your health. Cigarette smoking doubles your risk of having a stroke and contributes to the development of high blood pressure, a significant risk factor for having a stroke. So quitting cigarettes altogether will help lower your risk. If you’re struggling to quit on your own, many resources are available to help, including nicotine replacement therapy and counseling. Talk to your doctor about what might work best for you. 

#2. Make lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes involving your diet and exercise can positively contribute to your overall health, lowering your risk for a secondary stroke. 

Eating healthy is vital for everyone, but it’s especially crucial if you’ve had a stroke. A healthy diet can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, which will help lower your risk of another stroke. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat dairy is an excellent place to start. You should also limit your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, salt, and sugar. 

Exercise is another crucial piece of the puzzle in preventing a second stroke. Not only does exercise help manage some of the common risk factors for stroke (like high blood pressure and diabetes), but it also helps improve your overall health and well-being. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine, as they may be able to give you the best recommendations based on your health history and fitness level. It may also help to follow a physical therapist’s routine when you want to engage in exercise.

#3. Undergo physical therapy

Survivors dealing with paralysis on one side of the body can benefit from physical therapy. This is one of the many components of rehabilitation for stroke survivors. It can usually be done together with occupational therapy to help the person thrive and recover as they slowly reclaim their life. In addition, physical therapy can help your body get back to being active in a safe way to reintroduce movement again slowly.

Your doctor may tell you that the first three months of your recovery are crucial. Patients usually undergo a series of therapy sessions during this time to stimulate any damaged nerve pathways and work around the impairments caused by stroke. 

iAM ABLE is a reputable fitness center for physical therapy for stroke in Miami whose team of therapists can help outline a recovery program suitable for your needs. It’s important to understand that every survivor’s journey is different, so your rehabilitation program and physical therapy routine may vary from others. Our therapists are trained to teach you how to properly perform exercises that will help improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. They will also work with you on energy conservation techniques and fall prevention strategies. Your program will also align with the recovery goals you set for yourself. We will be assisting you every step of the way to help you achieve these goals.

Stroke rehabilitation may bring the following benefits:

• Retraining the muscles to perform basic motor functions, including sitting, standing, walking, rolling out of bed, and more.
• Easing pain or discomfort accompanying post-stroke recovery
• Arming you with practical tips to help prevent further complications or issues 
• Providing guidance and training to your caregiver
• Learn to use assistive devices such as walkers, prostheses, canes, orthoses, wheelchairs, and robotics.

It will be our pleasure to be part of your journey to face this new chapter of your life. If you want to learn more about our rehabilitation physical therapy programs, you can contact us via email at alfredo@iamable.org or 305-283-9717. 

Apart from physical therapy for stroke in Miami, the first two tips can help lower the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases and are helpful for stroke survivors to avoid recurrence and those who want to prevent a stroke from happening altogether and want to stay that way.

It may be a long journey to recovery but with the proper mindset, thriving amidst adversity is not impossible. This FREE e-book can help guide you to fully embrace your new life with a new set of challenges to face to help you move forward and thrive.

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.