Please visit our COVID-19 Resources page for more information on stroke care during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Stroke Prevention

Stroke is a preventable disease with devastating consequences. The risk of stroke can be decreased by addressing and controlling risk factors. Risk factors are medical conditions or lifestyle practices that can increase one's chance of having a stroke.

The Stroke Prevention Program addresses the concerns patients, families and health professionals may have and provides resources and services to control risk factors. The program is directed by Dr. Anjail Sharrief, Associate Professor of Neurology and the Director of Stroke Prevention for the Institute of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease.

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Stroke Prevention Program Leadership

Anjail SharriefAnjail Sharrief, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Director of Stroke Prevention, Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease

Munachi OkpalaMunachi Okpala, NP
STEP Clinic Program Manager
Stroke Clinic Nurse Practitioner
Community Outreach Organizer

The STEP Clinic was developed in order to address the multiple needs of patients and caregivers after a stroke or TIA occurs. The clinic takes an integrated approach to post-stroke care by providing education, risk factor screening and management, and assessment and treatment of post-stroke complication. We also connect patients and caregivers to our partner clinics, community programs, and community resources that help address post-stroke needs.

Our clinic provides services such as:

  • stroke and TIA education
  • Screening for stroke risk factors
  • Management of hypertension, high cholesterol, and tobacco use
  • Screening and treatment of fatigue, depression, memory/cognitive disorders, and post-stroke pain
  • Referrals for management of diabetes, nutrition programs, and intensive tobacco cessation programs
  • Referrals for driving assessments and programs to assist with returning to work

For more information on the STEP Clinic services and treatments, please visit our Outpatient Services page here.

Our Patients

We serve patients who have had or at high risk for having the following conditions:

  • Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
  • Ischemic Stroke resulting from the blockage of an artery
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke or Bleeding Stroke often resulting from high blood pressure

Many of our patients have the following risk factors:

  • Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Tobacco Use
  • High Cholesterol
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Poor Diet
  • Lack of Exercise
  • Obesity or Overweight
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea

To book an appointment

Please visit the UTHealth Neurosciences site here for more information on clinic appointments.

Research

Areas of Interest

Clinical Interests

General neurology and outpatient stroke prevention

Research Interests

Stroke prevention, stroke disparities, health services evaluation

Publications

Dr. Anjail Sharrief's PubMed publications can be found here.

Active Clinical Trials and Studies

  • SleepSMART – Sleep for Stroke Management and Recovery Trial
  • ARCADIA – AtRial Cardiopathy and Antithrombotic Drugs In prevention After cryptogenic stroke
  • STOP STROKE – Stroke Telemedicine Outpatient Prevention Program for Blood Pressure
    Reduction
  • AXIOMATIC – A Study on BMS-986177 for the Prevention of a Stroke in Patients Receiving
    Aspirin and Clopidogrel

For more information on these trials and studies, please contact the UTHealth Neurosciences clinic here.

Racism and Stroke

Dr. Sharrief has recently coauthored an American Heart Association Presidential Advisory major publication addressing structural racism and health disparity in the US. Read more.

Education and Training

Stroke Prevention Fellowship

The one year Stroke Prevention Fellowship is directed by Dr. Anjail Sharrief. The fellowship program focuses on giving physicians exposure and training in primary and secondary stroke prevention through risk factor management and stroke complication management. Fellows will be trained to provide patient-care and comprehensive preventive care. For more information, please visit the Stroke Prevention Fellowship webpage here.

Vascular Neurology Fellowship Training

We provide a one or two-year vascular neurology fellowship, both fostering the development of leaders in stroke field, be it in research, education, administration, quality improvement, and/or community outreach. For more information, please visit the Vascular Neurology Fellowship webpage here.

Medical Student and Public Health Student Opportunities

More information coming soon about our opportunities and resources available to medical students and public health students.

Outreach

Let's Learn About Stroke informational video below.