Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet; sodium is found mostly in salt.
Visit your healthcare provider annually for blood pressure evaluation.
If your medication to lower blood pressure doesn't work or has bad side effects, talk to your healthcare provider about finding a combination of drugs that work for you.
Don't smoke. Smoking and taking oral birth control pills can significantly increase your stroke risk. If you're a woman who experiences migraines with aura, smoking raises your risk of stroke even more than in the general population.