Prevention and Risk Factors
Some risk factors for a stroke can be controlled and others are beyond our control. Unchangeable risk factors include age, heredity and gender – as well as a prior stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack (TIA). For each decade over age 55, your chance of stroke doubles and your risk is also greater if a family member has had a stroke. Also, African Americans are more likely to die from a stroke.
Stroke is more common in men than in women, yet more women die from a stroke than men. Finally, a prior stroke, heart attack or TIA is a strong indicator that cannot be ignored. According to the American Stroke Association, a TIA increases the risk of stroke tenfold.
Other, lesser-known stroke risks include geography (more strokes occur in the Southeast), economic factors (low-income individuals more often suffer strokes), and drug or alcohol use.
Risk factors include:
- High blood pressure
- Tobacco use
- Diabetes
- Carotid artery disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Sickle cell disease
- High cholesterol
- Poor diet/lack of exercise