Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

A stroke is usually diagnosed in an emergency situation, but if you're concerned about your risk of having a stroke, you can prepare to discuss the subject with your doctor at your next appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
If you want to discuss your risk of stroke with your doctor, be ready to discuss your risk factors for stroke, such as family history of strokes and your personal medical history. If you think you may have had a TIA in the past, be sure to mention that to your doctor. Your doctor may recommend you have several tests to check your risk factors, and should tell you what you need to do before tests once they're ordered. For example, your doctor will likely order a blood test to check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. You'll need to fast for nine to 12 hours before the test to get the most accurate results.

DS00150

July 3, 2008

© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger