Stroke Prevention

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Risk Factors

Did you know? Certain factors cannot be controlled, but over 50% of all strokes are preventable!*

Risk Factors That Can Be Controlled

  • Smoking
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Overweight or obesity
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Physical inactivity
  • Atrial fibrillation

Risk Factors That Cannot Be Controlled

  • Age – Stroke affects all ages but risk greatly increases with age.
  • Family history – Especially when stroke occurred before age 65.
  • Gender: Males have a slightly higher risk of stroke.
  • Race: African Americans are at increased risk of stroke and related disability.
  • Prior stroke: Someone who has had a stroke is at greater risk of having another.

Can a Stroke be Prevented?

Some risk factors can be controlled and other cannot, so the possibility of reducing the risk of experiencing another stroke would depend on how the person manages the controllable risk factors.

My Personal Risk Factors

Risk factors are different for each person. Although some cannot be changed, others can be successfully managed. Check the items below that apply to you and discuss them with your doctor.

  • High blood pressure
  • Overweight/obesity
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Smoking
  • Previous heart attack or stroke
  • Family history of heart disease
  • High cholesterol/high fat diet
  • Diabetes
  • Sedentary lifestyle

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