Prevention of stroke is a key component of the overall management of stroke. Primordial prevention strategies include avoidance of tobacco use, maintenance of an adequate level of physical exercise and optimal diet and weight, and avoidance of heavy alcohol intake. Several medical risk factors have been demonstrated clearly, and intervention to optimise these risk factors for primary prevention (of first stroke) and secondary prevention (of stroke in those known to have cerebrovascular disease) has a robust evidence base.
