Strokes are the leading cause of long-term disability—and one in four strokes happen to someone who has already had a stroke previously—so you’re right to be concerned. The majority of strokes happen when a blood clot blocks blood flow in the brain, depriving parts of the brain of blood and oxygen. But they can also happen when a blood vessel breaks. The effects of a stroke differ depending on what part of the brain is affected. That’s why stroke victims will often show effects on only one side of the body.

Of course, the first thing you’ll want to do to help prevent another stroke is make some lifestyle changes. Make sure your diet is a healthy one—heavy on vegetables, fruit, lean meat, and good fats. Substantially reduce—or cut out completely—processed foods, added sugar, and simple carbohydrates like white bread. If you aren’t already, get active. Even simple things like taking a walk with your spouse after dinner each night can pay big dividends.

You can also add supplements that focus on your cardiovascular health. Mesoglycan is a good one. Mesoglycan is a great source of glycosaminoglycans—components that build the walls of our blood vessels and arteries, keeping them more flexible and strong. It protects the endothelium—the lining of blood vessels—and may increase its ability to repel clumping. Mesoglycan also provides the materials so that the body can actually repair damaged blood vessels—even tiny ones like those in the brain. What’s unique about mesoglycan is that it makes platelets more slippery so they move through blood vessels more easily—without interfering with normal clotting. Mesoglycan also reduces high fibrinogen levels, a protein associated with blood clot formation, to help prevent clots in blood vessels.