Stroke care
Post-stroke care and prevention
The best stroke rehabilitation in Portland and Southwest Washington
Have you had a stroke? We can help on the road to recovery. Depending on the severity of the stroke, the type of post-stroke care needed will vary. Some people recover quickly, while others require long-term support to regain as much independence as possible. Rehabilitation usually starts in the hospital and continues at home and in clinics with the help of different specialists:
- Physical therapists
- Psychologists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech and language therapists
- Dietitians
Legacy Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon is an inpatient rehabilitation facility located in Portland, OR that offers complete care for stroke patients seeking to recover from serious conditions that may require specialized services.
Legacy Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon has many exercise and support technique videos on post-stroke care. Here are two examples but you can watch the entire playlist.
Cognitive leisure activities
Thinking and improving attention
Preventing future strokes
As with heart attacks, strokes are caused because of problems with the blood vessels. Strokes can’t be prevented but several steps can be taken to reduce risk of occurrence. Talk with your doctor about your personal stroke risk. Knowing these important numbers about yourself is the first step:
- Blood pressure: High blood pressure is a major stroke risk factor if left untreated. Blood pressure should be checked annually by a doctor or at health fairs, a local pharmacy or supermarket or with an automatic blood pressure machine.
- Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that is made by the body. It is also in food. High cholesterol levels can clog arteries and cause a stroke. Check with a doctor if total cholesterol level rises above 200.
- Blood sugar: High blood sugar is a sign of diabetes. Many people with diabetes have health problems that can also become stroke risk factors. A doctor and dietitian can help manage diabetes.
- Weight: Extra weight strains the circulatory system and can contribute to a stroke.
Exercise and eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly — five times a week.
- Eat a diet low in processed foods, salt, sugar and trans fats.
- Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
Need help? Our Live It! program has helped lots of people lose weight and begin a healthy new way of living.
Stop smoking
Smoking doubles your risk of stroke. It damages blood vessel walls, speeds up artery clogging, raises blood pressure and makes your heart work harder.
One of the best resources to quit is the state-level tobacco quit line. We are fortunate to have excellent tobacco quit lines available to our patients in both Oregon and Washington which can be reached using the same toll-free number (1-800-QUIT-NOW). You can learn more by going online to their websites:
For smokers ready to quit, download this information brochure.
And, for those smokers not quite ready, download this information brochure.
Drink in moderation
Alcohol use has been linked to stroke in many studies. Most doctors recommend not drinking or drinking only in moderation –– no more than two drinks each day.
