The recurrent stroke presents a high burden, mainly in developing countries, such as Brazil. Secondary prevention guidelines guide the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and having knowledge about stroke to control risk factors for recurrent stroke. Therefore, it is important to identify the profile of healthy habits and knowledge to direct the use of related interventions.

To describe the profile of healthy habits and knowledge about stroke among individuals after stroke in a Brazilian metropolis.

Cross-sectional study, which recruited individuals two years after the stroke, aged ≥ 20 years, that received their first attendance in a stroke unit in the metropolis of Belo Horizonte (MG). For data collection, questions from the App “Stroke Riskometer” and from previous studies were used. Data were collected via telephone call and operationalized through absolute and relative frequency.

Seventy-three individuals (63±15 years old, 52% male) were included until now, and 7 (10%) cases of recurrent stroke were identified. As for habits, 64 (88%) reported not smoking, of these, 40 (55%) stopped smoking more than a year ago and 24 (33%) never smoked. Regarding alcohol consumption, 54 (74%) reported do not consume and, of these, 32 (59%) stopped consuming and 22 (41%) never consumed. As for eating, just over half (n=48, 66%) reported have adequate eating and 43 (59%) consume 2-3 fruits or vegetables/day. As for the physical activity practice, 29 (40%) reported practice it and, of these, 15 (52%) practice 2.5 hours/week and 11 (38%) between 1-2 hours/week. Just over half (n=45, 62%) reported to have not experienced significant emotional stress/depression for a year. As for knowledge, just over half reported know what a stroke is (n=42, 58%) and its signs and symptoms: difficulty speaking/understanding/articulating speech (n=48, 66%), loss of strength in arm (n=48, 66%) and smile/crooked mouth/face asymmetry (n=56, 77%). Most said they knew that smoking (n=62, 85%), alcohol consumption (n=55, 75%), inadequate eating (n=57, 78%), not practicing physical activity (n=59, 81%) and mental stress (n=60, 82%) are risk factors for stroke.

The habits that need more attention are healthy eating, alcohol consumption and mainly physical activity. Secondary prevention actions should also promote knowledge about what stroke is and its signs and symptoms. Most claimed to know that unhealthy habits are risk factors for the occurrence of stroke. However, an important amount of subjects (approximately 20%) stated that they did not have this knowledge and lacked this type of information. As the study is ongoing, these results should be interpreted with caution.

The results of this study contribute to the direction of actions for secondary prevention of stroke. Future studies should investigate whether having knowledge about stroke promotes the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.