What is the Risk of a Second Stroke Within Two Weeks?

The Alarming Reality of Recurrent Stroke and How to Take Control

If surviving one stroke feels like winning the lottery, what does getting a second one feel like? For me, it felt like the universe was playing a very cruel joke.

Just one week after being discharged from the hospital for a haemorrhage stroke—the kind where a blood vessel bursts in your brain—I was back in the ER. Why? My blood pressure (BP) had spiked to an alarming 180/110.

I was already on Amlodipine and Atorvastatin, but because my first stroke was haemorrhagic, my doctor wisely avoided Aspirin. Aspirin thins the blood, and that is absolutely the last thing you want right after a bleed in your brain.

I was terrified. Everyone knows the risk of a second stroke is higher—it's like having a known weakness in your foundation. But a second stroke so soon? That's when the doctors ordered an MRI, just to be sure.

The results came back. Not another haemorrhage... but an ischemic stroke. That's the clot kind.

A Dual Threat: Two Strokes, Two Weeks

Getting two different types of strokes—a bleed and a clot—in such rapid succession is incredibly rare and frankly, bewildering. How is that even possible? According to the neurologists, it is. And again, the only thing they could offer was the mantra: "You are very lucky."

But luck doesn't protect you from the underlying cause. And this is where the cold, hard statistics come into play.

• Statistic 1: The Immediate Risk Spike. According to a 2024 analysis published in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, the risk of recurrent stroke is highest in the first 90 days after the initial event, particularly within the first week.

If you already have underlying symptoms or vascular issues that caused the first event, those issues haven't simply disappeared upon discharge.

The Aspirin Dilemma and The Lack of Investigation

Because my second stroke was ischemic (a clot), my treatment plan had to pivot dramatically. Aspirin (100mg) was immediately added to my regimen. This is the delicate balancing act doctors face: protecting me from another clot without causing another bleed.

What frustrated me most was the feeling of being a medical digit—diagnose, treat, discharge. Despite the incredibly unusual nature of having two different strokes, there was no deep dive into my lifestyle, diet, or specific background. The standard line was simply: “We are seeing an inexplicable increase in strokes in apparently healthy patients.”

This lack of proactive investigation left me hanging. I can’t rely on luck a third time! The prognosis for a second stroke is never good. I had to become my own investigator.

How Stroke Survivors Can Take Control

When the medical system treats you like a statistic, you must step up and be your own advocate. My personal investigation wasn't about questioning the core medication; it was about optimizing every other factor I could control to lower my blood pressure and cholesterol naturally, reducing my reliance on drugs and their side effects.

• Statistic 2: The Recurrence Rate. Data from the American Stroke Association (2023) shows that roughly one in four stroke survivors will experience another stroke within five years. That risk is amplified significantly in the initial post-stroke period.

Here are the immediate steps I took to regain agency:

1. Monitor BP Religiously: Invest in a reliable at-home BP monitor and track it three times a day. If it spikes, document exactly what you were doing.

2. Radical Diet Overhaul: Immediately eliminated processed foods, minimized salt, and focused on heart-healthy fats and fiber.

3. Mindfulness for BP Control: Dedicated time for meditation and slow, deep breathing to manage the stress that elevates BP.

I was determined to find the best way to lower those odds and prevent a third stroke. This journey led to major, immediate changes in my diet and lifestyle.

Follow along as I detail the specific diet, exercise, and supplement changes I implemented to get my blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Find out how at: https://www.eatruntravelretire.com/eating-right-diet-after-a-stroke without escalating my medication. Share this article with anyone in recovery who feels like a medical 'digit' and is looking to take charge!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before making changes to your health regimen.