Serving Texas residents only. Patients must be located in Texas at the time of their visit.
HomeStroke Prevention
Board-certified vascular neurology

Stroke Prevention & Neurological Risk Reduction

Stroke prevention begins with understanding individual risk. A vascular-neurology-trained physician reviews your history, imaging and risk factors, and builds an evidence-based plan to protect your brain.

Schedule a Stroke Prevention Consultation
Who this is for

Most strokes are preventable.

The large majority of stroke risk is explained by factors that can be measured and treated. Yet many people, including many who have already had a TIA or stroke, have never had every factor reviewed together by a stroke specialist.

  • You have had a TIA or stroke and want a thorough prevention review
  • Your MRI shows small vessel disease, white matter changes or an old stroke
  • You have a strong family history of stroke or vascular disease
  • You have atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol
  • You want an independent opinion on your current prevention plan
!

Sudden weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, facial drooping, loss of vision, the worst headache of your life, or a first seizure are emergencies. Call 911 — a virtual visit is not the right door.

What we review
Blood pressureTargets, home monitoring, and medication timing
CholesterolLDL goals and whether current therapy is enough
Diabetes and glucoseControl, and medications with vascular benefit
Smoking and alcoholPractical, non-judgmental support to change
Atrial fibrillationDetection and anticoagulation decisions
Sleep apneaScreening, testing and why treatment matters for the brain
Exercise and dietPatterns with the strongest evidence for stroke reduction
Medication adherenceSimplifying regimens so the plan actually happens
Prior stroke or TIAMechanism, imaging review and secondary prevention
Family historyWhat it changes, and what it does not
Author: Alla Al-Habib, M.D., board-certified neurologistMedically reviewed by: Alla Al-Habib, M.D.Last reviewed: September 2026

Questions people ask about stroke prevention

What is a TIA and why does it matter?

A transient ischemic attack is a brief episode of stroke symptoms that resolves on its own, usually within minutes. It is a warning: the risk of a full stroke is highest in the days and weeks that follow. Anyone with a suspected TIA needs urgent evaluation. Once that is done, a planned consultation helps make sure every modifiable risk factor is addressed.

What are the biggest risk factors for stroke?

High blood pressure is the single most important modifiable risk factor. Others include atrial fibrillation, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obstructive sleep apnea, physical inactivity, excess alcohol, and a prior stroke or TIA. Most stroke risk is attributable to factors that can be measured and treated.

What does “small vessel disease” on my MRI mean?

It refers to changes in the brain’s smallest blood vessels, usually seen as white matter changes or small old infarcts. It is common with age and strongly linked to blood pressure and vascular risk. It is not a diagnosis of dementia, but it is a reason to take vascular risk seriously. See our guide to brain MRI findings.

Can stroke risk be reduced after a stroke has already happened?

Yes. Secondary prevention (antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy where indicated, blood pressure and cholesterol control, diabetes management, treating atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea, and lifestyle change) substantially lowers the risk of another stroke.

Is a virtual visit appropriate for stroke prevention?

For planned prevention and risk-factor review, yes. Much of the work is history, records, imaging review and a careful plan. Any new or sudden stroke symptoms are an emergency and need 911, not a video visit.

Selected references
  1. Kleindorfer DO, et al. 2021 Guideline for the Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack. Stroke. 2021;52:e364-e467.
  2. O’Donnell MJ, et al. Global and regional effects of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with acute stroke in 32 countries (INTERSTROKE). Lancet. 2016;388:761-775.
  3. Bushnell C, et al. 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke. Stroke. 2024;55:e344-e424.
  4. Whelton PK, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Hypertension. 2018;71:e13-e115.

Schedule a Stroke Prevention Consultation

A stroke-fellowship-trained neurologist, your records, and one thorough plan.

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