CourseDraft

Secondary prevention essentials (Intro)

A beginner-friendly, action-focused course on reducing future stroke risk: blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, AFib awareness, medications, and sustainable habits (no dosing/targets; follow your care plan).

Secondary PreventionCaregiver, SurvivorIntro90 minPlain (6–8)

Educational only

Educational only — not medical advice. Follow your clinician’s prevention plan and call instructions.

Get help now

If you have sudden new stroke symptoms (weakness, speech trouble, vision loss, severe headache, severe dizziness/imbalance), call emergency services immediately.

Key takeaways

  • Explain why ‘secondary prevention’ matters after stroke/TIA
  • Build a simple home routine for key risk factors (BP, meds, follow-ups)
  • Know which topics to ask clinicians about (AFib, diabetes, smoking, sleep)
  • Leave with a personalized prevention checklist

Lessons in this course

Preventing another stroke: the basics (secondary prevention)

Secondary prevention basics for survivors/caregivers: major risk-factor buckets, question scripts, mini-quiz, and bucket-matching game.

Home blood pressure tracking after stroke (patient-friendly)

A simple, safe guide to tracking blood pressure at home and bringing useful information to clinicians (no target numbers; follow your plan).

Medications overview: antiplatelets, anticoagulants, statins (high-level)

Safety-first overview of stroke-prevention medication categories (antiplatelets, anticoagulants, statins), adherence basics, red flags, and questions to ask clinicians.

Smoking/vaping and stroke risk (quitting supports)

Non-judgmental nicotine quitting module: stroke risk basics, 2-week quit/cut-down plan, trigger replacement practice, and resource links.

Diabetes and stroke: risk, recovery considerations, and caregiver checklist

High-level explanation of how diabetes affects blood vessels and recovery, plus a caregiver-friendly checklist of what to track and what questions to ask clinicians (no medical targets).

AFib and stroke: the heart rhythm story (plain-language explainer)

Explains atrial fibrillation (AFib) at a high level, how it can lead to clots and stroke, what monitoring may look like, and why blood thinners may be used (no individual recommendations).

Sleep and stroke risk (screening + habits)

Sleep and stroke risk module covering sleep apnea red flags, a simple 3-habit routine, clinician question scripts, mini-quiz, and routine-builder game.

Nutrition patterns for stroke prevention (Mediterranean-style overview)

Mediterranean-style nutrition overview for stroke prevention with simple swaps, swallowing-safe notes, mini-quiz, and grocery-cart game.

Lesson sequence

  • 1. Secondary prevention basics (what it is + why it matters)
  • 2. Home BP tracking (how to measure + what to report)
  • 3. Medications overview + adherence supports (no med changes)
  • 4. Smoking/vaping quitting supports (what helps)
  • 5. Diabetes and stroke (why glucose control matters)
  • 6. AFib and stroke (why rhythm matters)
  • 7. Sleep and stroke risk (sleep apnea awareness)
  • 8. Nutrition patterns (heart-healthy basics)

Capstone

  • Write your prevention checklist
  • Prepare 5 questions for your next visit

Practice check

What you’ll practice

These questions are untimed. After you answer all of them, you’ll see your score and a clear next lesson or reference step.

0 of 3 answered

Question 1

1. Secondary prevention focuses on lowering risk of another stroke.

Question 2

2. A helpful next step for prevention is to…

Question 3

3. A condition that can raise stroke risk and may show up as loud snoring + daytime sleepiness is…

References

  1. Tier 1
    AHA/ASA 2021 Secondary Prevention Guideline
  2. Tier 4
    CDC: Measuring Blood Pressure
  3. Tier 4
    NHLBI: Sleep apnea (overview)