Stroke recovery phases
Recovery follows phases: hyperacute (emergency treatment), acute (stabilization), subacute (rehabilitation — most gains occur here), and chronic (maintenance and prevention). Neurologist follow-up focuses on secondary prevention, medication adherence, and monitoring for complications — complementing physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy as needed.
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Secondary prevention
Blood pressure control, diabetes management, cholesterol optimization, antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy as indicated, smoking cessation and lifestyle modification reduce recurrent stroke risk. Medication adherence is emphasized — most preventable strokes occur in people who stop medications prematurely.
- Blood pressure control — target individualized
- Antiplatelet or anticoagulant adherence
- Cholesterol management
- Smoking cessation counseling
Medication adherence
Missing antiplatelet or anticoagulant doses significantly increases recurrent stroke risk. Simple strategies — pill organizers, fixed dosing times, family reminders — improve adherence. The clinic reviews medication purpose and side effects to sustain long-term compliance.
Lifestyle changes
Regular physical activity, heart-healthy diet, weight management, sleep optimization and stress reduction contribute to secondary prevention. Changes are discussed realistically — small sustainable steps rather than unrealistic overhaul.
| Factor | Action |
|---|---|
| Blood pressure | Home monitoring, target discussion |
| Medications | Adherence strategies, side-effect review |
| Lifestyle | Diet, activity, smoking cessation |
When to seek urgent care
New or recurrent weakness, speech difficulty, facial droop, sudden severe headache, or visual loss need emergency evaluation — call emergency services immediately. Time-sensitive treatments (clot retrieval, thrombolysis) are most effective within hours of onset.