Sometimes people worry being active could cause another stroke. But the opposite is true. Moving and being active is a great way to stay healthy and avoid another stroke. So unless your doctor tells you otherwise, moving and being active is safe, and it could make all the difference to your health and wellbeing.

You can still be active even if your balance is a problem. A therapist or trained exercise coach should be able to give you advice on safe movements and how to improve your balance. You can do activities on a chair or a mat, or use machines if you go to a gym. If you are standing, hold onto a chair back or lean against a wall. Your GP can refer you to a physiotherapist if you need help with balance problems.

You might feel too tired to be active, but regular exercise can actually help give you more energy, better sleep and make you feel less fatigued. Try a few different activities and find out what you enjoy and what works for you. Start slowly, and build up over time, to avoid making the fatigue worse. Overall energy levels should improve, but you might need to build in time for some extra rests during and after activities.

As long as you do things that you’re capable of, you can move and be more active. Do not avoid being active because you’re worried. 

If you have any health problems such as atrial fibrillation or diabetes, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor before starting to become more active. If you’re not sure what you can do, seek advice from a professional like a therapist or trained exercise coach. An occupational therapist can help you find new ways of doing things if you need to adapt an activity you previously enjoyed.

If you have high blood pressure, physical activity can help to reduce it over time. 

When you do something that makes your heart beat faster, such as running, your blood pressure goes up, but goes back down when you rest. By exercising regularly, you actually make the heart stronger and more efficient. Over time, your resting blood pressure can go down to a healthier level. 

However, if you have very high blood pressure, you should speak to your doctor before starting to be more active, to make sure it’s safe for you. Ask your pharmacist if your medication could affect you during exercise.

If you have a number of health problems together like diabetes and a heart condition, and you’re not sure what level of activity you can do, speak to your doctor.