Role of Nursing in Promoting Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent Stroke Recurrence

Abstract

Stroke recurrence is a major global health concern that contributes significantly to long-term disability and premature mortality. Nearly 25–30% of stroke survivors experience a recurrent episode within five years. Most recurrences are linked to modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, sedentary behaviour, and poor diet. Nurses, as frontline healthcare professionals, are uniquely positioned to support patients in adopting lifestyle modifications and adhering to secondary prevention strategies. This manuscript explores the role of nursing in promoting lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, smoking cessation, stress management, and medication adherence. A review of recent studies highlights the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions, motivational interviewing, structured education programs, and community-based follow-ups. The paper emphasizes the importance of integrating nursing roles into multidisciplinary stroke prevention frameworks and provides recommendations for practice, policy, and future research.