When you or a loved one has had a stroke, it’s important to work closely with your doctor to manage the recovery and rehabilitation processes and prevent complications from developing. Good communication, a clear treatment plan, and regular visits to your doctor can go a long way toward helping you take good care of yourself. Here’s a step-by-step guide to talking to your doctor effectively about strokes:

Step One: Know your numbers.

First, find out how severe your stroke was, what your limitations are, and what you can expect in the way of recovery over time. Then, find out what kinds of therapies can facilitate your recovery and how to set your targets for managing the risk factors that can affect your chances of having another stroke: What are your current blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar numbers? How’s your weight? What ranges are you aiming to achieve with medications and lifestyle modifications that your physician is prescribing?

Step Two: Manage your medicines.

Ask your doctor to explain why you’re taking a particular medication (such as blood pressure-lowering, cholesterol-reducing, or anti-clotting drugs), how it works, how often you should take it, whether it should be taken with or without food, and what side effects or potential interactions you should watch out for. (For example, if you eat lots of foods rich in vitamin K—like leafy greens—some anti-clotting drugs may not work as well.) Given your condition, are there any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you should be concerned about taking (such as cough syrup or headache remedies which may contain alcohol or stimulants)? Are there any possible interactions or side effects you should be aware of with other drugs or supplements you may be taking?

Step Three: Look at your lifestyle.

Find out how you should modify your diet, how often you should exercise, whether physical (or speech or occupational) therapy would be helpful, and what special measures you should take for getting more rest or managing stress. Also, should you try to lose weight? Being overweight can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, increasing your risk of another stroke. Keep in mind, too: Feelings of depression or anxiety, which are very common after a stroke, can complicate recovery; ask your doctor what you should do to manage your mood or deal with any downturns that may occur.

Step Four: Plan ahead.

Ask your doctor how often you should be seen for routine visits and what tests you should expect at these appointments. What kinds of assessments will the doctor do to see if a therapy or medication is helping? Also, ask what other medical conditions—like diabetes or high blood pressure—may complicate your recovery from stroke.

Step Five: Fill in the blanks.

To make sure you’re not overlooking anything important, it’s smart to ask your doctor a few catch-all questions, such as: What else do I need to know? What stumbling blocks should I watch out for in my care? What kinds of symptoms or changes should always be reported to you? What should I do if I think I’m having another stroke? Since a second stroke may have different symptoms from the first one, ask your doctor what signs to be on the lookout for and what to do if you notice them.