Strokes come in two major forms:

1) A blood clot in a blood vessel in the brain which reduces or stops blood flow to parts of the brain
2) A hemorrhage or bleeding in brain tissue.

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Prevention of strokes
A person's odds of suffering a stroke might be significantly reduced by maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle, which includes not smoking, exercising daily, consuming a healthy diet, drinking alcohol in moderation and maintaining a healthy weight
Proper diet, increase intake of fruits and vegetables and fish. You can also take Fish-Oil-Wild capsules.
Reduce hypertension
Reduce cholesterol. For additional info on cholesterol. Some people claim Guggul is helpful.
Reduce or eliminate smoking
Reduce alcohol
Aspirin is a much more cost-effective way to treat patients at risk of having a second heart attack or stroke than the new drug Plavix (clopidogrel).
Influenza and other serious respiratory infections significantly increase the risk of stroke, particularly during the period of infection and the week after. Therefore, keeping your immune system well by doing moderate exercise, sleeping well, and eating healthy foods can reduce the risk for influenza infection. Flu shots may help. Wash your hands if you are around sick people, and reduce your exposure to those with the flu, if possible.

Diagnosis of stroke
CAT scans are the most common method of diagnosing a stroke in the emergency rooms but they only catch about one out of every four cases — far fewer than an MRI scan, which also was better at spotting the type of stroke. It is suggested that MRI scans should replace CT X-rays as the standard of care for stroke diagnosis.

Value of carotid artery testing questioned for stroke diagnosis or prevention
In December 2007, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that individuals not be tested for narrowing of the carotid arteries, the major arteries in the neck that supple oxygen to the brain, provided that they have no symptoms of narrowing in the first place. Carotid artery narrowing or "stenosis" is a common finding in older adults, which can lead to a stroke if it is severe. The condition can be treated with surgical removal of the plaque lining the inside of the arteries that cause the stenosis or with the placement inside the arteries of a stent, a tiny metal tube that maintains an open passage for blood flow. Based on evidence that screening for symptomless carotid artery stenosis may cause more harm than good, new guidelines from  this practice in the general population. Annals of Internal Medicine, December 18, 2007.

TIA versus full stroke
Insufficient blood supply to parts of the brain for brief periods causes transient ischemic attacks, temporary disturbances in brain function. Because the blood supply is restored quickly, brain tissue doesn't die, as it does in a stroke. A transient ischemic attack is often an early warning sign of a stroke.

Risk factors for stroke
In Western countries, strokes are the most common cause of disabling neurologic damage. High blood pressure and atherosclerosis -- hardening of the arteries from fatty buildup -- are the major risk factors for strokes. The incidence of strokes has declined in recent decades, mainly because people are more aware of the importance of controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

Prescription drugs that increase the risk of stroke
Two prescription drugs pulled from the market in recent years -- Vioxx (also known as rofecoxib) and Bextra (also known as valdecoxib) - increase the risk of stroke.

Consequences of stroke
How a stroke or transient ischemic attack affects the body depends on precisely where in the brain the blood supply was cut off or where bleeding occurred. Each area of the brain is served by specific blood vessels. For example, if a blood vessel in the area that controls the left leg's muscle movements becomes blocked, the leg will be weak or paralyzed. If the area that senses touch to the right arm is damaged, the right arm will lose feeling (sensation). The loss of function is greatest immediately after a stroke. However, some function is usually regained because, while some brain cells die, others are only injured and may recover.

Stroke in Women
Dr. Susanna Horvath, neurologist at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., says: "Despite its standing as the third leading cause of death and the number-one cause of disability in the U.S., stroke is often a misunderstood condition -- particularly among women. While it is true that men outnumber women among
stroke patients over the age of 65, a new study found that women between the ages of 45 and 54 are up to 2.5 times more likely to have a stroke than men in the same age group. Sadly, women are largely unaware of the unique risks,
symptoms and prevention strategies they need to know in order to protect themselves from stroke." Dr. Susanna Horvath is a neurologist and stroke specialist at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Exercise, physical conditioning, and stroke
Middle-aged and older adults who stay agile, and in good physical shape, are less likely to suffer a stroke than their less-nimble peers. Those who have good physical functioning such as having little problem climbing stairs or carrying groceries, for instance -- are less likely to have a stroke.

Stroke questions
Q. My Father has recently affected by stroke blood clot in brain. Do you think Noni or basil herb will help?
   A. We have not any research with noni or basil for stroke treatment.

Q. Can you tell me if Passion RX may help me, as I had a stroke 4 years ago? I also have a carotid artery stenosis.
   A. We don't suggest Passion Rx to anyone with a serious cardiovascular or cerebrovascular problem.

Q. I am wanting to make sure I take supplements needed for prevention of osteoporosis. The vitamin bottle I have for osteoporosis prevention contains 150 mcg of Vitamin K per capsule. My concern is that being of the age for possible strokes, does taking Vitamin K influence stroke incidence?
   A. This is a difficult question to answer since one has to weigh the benefits of vitamin K supplementation versus the risk for stroke. Much depends on an individual person's risk factors for stroke and their clotting or bleeding tendencies. Some people clot too easily, others have a tendency to have very thin blood. One has to also consider whether vitamin K is necessary for osteoporosis prevention when there are other supplements that are quite effective. We have not seen much research to determine if taking vitamin K supplements has a measurable effect on increasing stroke risk. It is difficult to predict the benefits versus risks of vitamin K supplementation and to determine which option is better.

Q. I was surprised to see little about the ability of serrapeptase to dissolve fibrin thus increasing blood flow in large and small vessels. Perhaps nattokinase is a better choice. I am a nutritionist but i am obviously learning as I go on this. I'll check Pubmed but I'd like to have Ur opinion. I am trying to deal with restricted blood flow to the brain, beyond using gingko (160mg). This is clearly present in people with CFIDS/ME but - I assume - w people who have drop attacks. Your opinion on nutraceuticals you've found helpful on drop attacks would really help : I found no ref so far.
   A. Drop attacks have many, many potential causes, and we are not aware of any single supplement that can prevent drop attacks.

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