What Are the Risk Factors of Stroke?
Stroke is one of the most preventable of all life-threatening health problems. There are two primary types of risk factors for stroke: uncontrollable and controllable (treatable). Please remember that having one or more uncontrollable stroke risk factors does not make one destined to have a stroke.
Uncontrollable Stroke Risk Factors:
- Increasing age The chance of having a stroke more than doubles after age 55. While stroke is more common among the elderly, substantial numbers of people under 65 also can have a stroke.
- Gender Men have a slightly higher risk of stroke than women do.
- Family history/Race The risk of stroke is greater in people who have a family history of stroke or TIA. African Americans are at higher risk for stroke than Caucasians.
- Personal history of diabetes While treatable, diabetes is an independent risk factor for stroke and is strongly associated with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Controllable (Treatable) Stroke Risk Factors:
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High blood pressure Having high blood pressure increases stroke risk four to six times, and is the single most controllable risk factor.
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Heart disease, including atrial fibrillation A diseased heart increases the risk of stroke dramatically. Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), in particular, raises the risk because it allows blood to pool in the heart, thus forming clots that can be carried to the brain, causing a stroke.
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Weight Excess weight puts a strain on the entire circulatory system. It also makes one more likely to have other stroke risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
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Smoking Smoking almost doubles one's risk because it damages blood vessel walls, speeds up the clogging of the arteries, and makes the heart work harder.
If you have several of these risk factors, we recommend you make an appointment with your personal physician or health care provider to assess your stroke risk.
For everything you need to know about stroke, go to the Stroke Resource Center.
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