Anyone can have a stroke. However, the chance of having a stroke increases if a person has certain risk factors. A risk factor is a condition or a behavior that puts a person at a higher risk for having a disease. The best way to prevent stroke is to understand and manage your risk factors.
The American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Stroke Association have identified two types of risk factors for stroke: uncontrollable and controllable. Focus on the risk factors you can control or treat.
Risk factors you cannot control:
- Age - Stroke is more common after age 55
- Gender - Stroke is more common in men.
- Race - Stroke is more common in African American, Hispanic, or Asian/Pacific Islander people.
- Heredity - Stroke is more common if there is a family history (grandparent, parent, sister or brother) of stroke or TIA.
- Prior stroke or TIA - The risk of stroke increases greatly for a person who has already had a stroke. A TIA is a strong warning sign of a future stroke.
Risk factors you can control or treat:
- High blood pressure
- Tobacco use
- Diabetes
- Carotid artery disease
- Atrial fibrillation
-
Other heart diseases
- High blood cholesterol and triglycerides
- Unhealthy eating
- Lack of exercise and being overweight
- Sickle cell disease
- Alcohol use
- Drug abuse