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Eating Mediterranean or DASH-style diets and regularly engaging in physical activity can lower risk of a first-time stroke, according to updated AHA/ASA guideline. 

"We have a huge opportunity to improve how we prevent new strokes, because risk factors that can be changed or controlled-especially high blood pressure-account for 90 percent of strokes," said James Meschia, M.D., lead author of the study and professor and chairman of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, in the press release.

Mediterranean-style or DASH-style diets emphasis equally on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, poultry and fish. However, mediterranean-style diets are generally low in dairy products and DASH-style diets emphasize low-fat dairy products.

"Talking about stroke prevention is worthwhile," Meschia added. "In many instances, stroke isn't fatal, but it leads to years of physical, emotional and mental impairment that could be avoided."

The guidelines were published in the American Heart Association's journal Stroke.