Life After a Stroke

What is a stroke?

A stroke is damage to part of the brain when its blood supply is suddenly reduced or stopped. A stroke causes loss of function, sometimes permanently, in the part of the body that is controlled by the damaged part of the brain. Each year in the US, about 2 people out of every 1,000 suffer a stroke. About 1 third of strokes are fatal. Of the people who survive a stroke, quite a few recover completely from their first stroke. Other strokes may follow, however, and many people are left with permanent handicaps. Stroke becomes increasingly common after age 60.

The effects of a stroke may be life long because the brain cannot replace the brain cells that died. Depending on what part of the brain was hurt, a stroke can affect the senses, movement, or speech. It can change behavior, thoughts, memory, and the ability to speak and understand speech. Treatment usually includes drugs, hospital care, and rehabilitation. Rarely, surgery may be helpful, too.

How long will recovery take?

How much recovery is possible, and how long it takes to recover, depends on how much the brain is damaged. Most people have some permanent loss of function after a stroke. Recovery usually starts 1 to 2 weeks after the stroke. Most of the recovery that is possible will occur within 6 months, but some function may be regained as long as a year later.

Speech therapy can help if your speech or the ability to swallow is affected. Physical therapy can help bring back muscle strength and movement. Occupational therapy can help you relearn everyday skills so that you are less dependent on others. Depression, which occurs in more than half of the people who have a stroke, can usually be treated. If depression is not treated, it can take longer to recover from the stroke.

What about sex after a stroke?

Often, preoccupation with medical problems and new disabilities leads to a loss of interest in sex. Some medicines taken to control blood pressure or heart pain (angina) affect sexual function. However, a stroke itself rarely affects your ability to have sex, and the physical effort of sex is unlikely to cause another stroke. Because of body weakness or paralysis, however, a change in positions may be necessary.

How can I take care of myself?

• Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for recovery exercises (rehabilitation, or "rehab") after a stroke.
• Pay attention to your overall health.
• Eat nourishing foods that are low in fat and cholesterol.
• Exercise daily for 30 minutes or more. Walking is usually the safest exercise, unless you have problems with balance that could cause you to fall. Don't skip days.
• Exercise the parts of your body that are affected by the stroke as much as possible.
• If you are overweight, talk to your healthcare provider about weight control.
• If you smoke, quit. Ask for your healthcare provider's help if you need it.
• Avoid alcohol, particularly if you have leg weakness or balance problems.
• Keep careful records about your blood pressure and show these records to your healthcare providers. Keeping high blood pressure under control is an important part of preventing another stroke.
• Learn to relax and avoid stress in your life.

Could I become permanently dependent?

About 1 in 20 stroke survivors need permanent assistance for everyday activities such as eating, dressing, using the toilet, and bathing. Remember though, not all strokes with such severe effects are first strokes. If you have survived 1 stroke, you can do several things to help prevent another stroke.

How can I prevent a stroke from occurring?

• If you have high blood pressure, you need to control it. Most often, this means taking medicine for your high blood pressure.
• If you have diabetes, keep checking and controlling your blood sugar.
• If you have an irregular or fast heart rate, you may need to take medicine such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Keep your diet low in fat to decrease the risk of developing fatty deposits in your blood vessels.
• Exercise every day according to your healthcare provider's recommendations.
• Keep a healthy weight.

Developed by Ann Carter, MD, for RelayHealth.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.