There are many factors that make a person more likely to experience a stroke. Some are genetic factors that cannot be changed, but there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke.
Stroke Risk Factors that can be treated or controlled:
- High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) increases the risk of stroke four to six fold. Blood pressure can be controlled using medications, a low sodium diet, and exercise. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly because hypertension exhibits no symptoms.
- Heart Disease: Incidence of a prior heart attack or any kind of heart disease increases the risk of stroke. Atrial fibrillation is especially risky, because it can cause blood to pool in the heart and clot. When those clots enter the bloodstream, they can cause a stroke.
- Smoking: Smoking tobacco damages the cardiovascular system in numerous ways and is a significant risk factor for stroke. Smoking in conjunction with use of oral contraceptives greatly increases the risk of blood clots and therefore stroke.
- High Cholesterol: High levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) increase the likelihood of a stroke. Additionally, low levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) are a risk factor in men.
- Poor Diet & Exercise: Inactivity, obesity, and/or poor eating habits increase the risk of many health problems, including stroke.
- Diabetes: a stroke can be more damaging if it happens while blood sugar is high. Even with controlled blood sugar levels, diabetics are at a higher risk for stroke than those who do not have the disease.
Stroke Risk Factors that are genetic/unchangeable:
- Age: A stroke can occur at any age, but 72% of strokes occur in people over the age of 65
- Gender: Men have a slightly higher risk of stroke than women. The risk of stroke for men increases sharply after the age of 60.
- Race: African Americans are twice as likely to have a stroke than Caucasians
- Incidence of prior stroke: The risk of having a subsequent stroke increases nine fold after suffering a first stroke.
- Heredity: People whose immediate family members (parent, grandparent, or sibling) have suffered a stroke are more likely to have a stroke themselves.
