Stroke Risk Factors
Stroke Risk Factors You Can Control, Treat and Improve
Keep your stroke risks low with regular checkups and treatment for these conditions if you have them.
Stroke Risk Factors That Are Not Within Your Control
You can't control some risk factors, but knowing that they exist may help motivate you to work harder on the ones you can change.
Additional Factors That May Be Linked to Higher Stroke Risks
Whether your risks are related to changeable factors or are primarily outside of your control, you can benefit your heart and your brain with healthy lifestyle choices.
How Cardiovascular Stroke Risks Relate
The link between heart disease and stroke is significant.
Several types of heart disease are risk factors for stroke. Likewise, stroke is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. People with coronary heart disease, angina or who have had a heart attack due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) have more than twice the risk of stroke.
Coronary heart disease and stroke have common risk factors that can be controlled or treated:
- Heart failure can increase stroke risk.
It’s a condition in which the heart can’t pump out all the blood that returns to it.
What You Can Do
You can lessen your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Live Great – Ideas to help kids stay heart and brain health from the American Stroke Association and Dee-1
The American Stroke Association and rapper, Dee-1 want kids (and grownups) everywhere to focus on ways to be proactive and live longer, healthier lives.
High Blood Pressure is the No. 1 Controllable Risk Factor for Stroke
Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Work with your doctor to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range (under 120/80).
Let's Talk About Stroke Prevention
I WILL Not Have Another Heart Attack or Stroke
You may not see the risk of another heart attack or ischemic stroke, but you can reduce the chances of having another one. Talk to your doctor about a prevention plan which may include medications, such as aspirin, and other small steps that may have a big impact.
TIA and Stroke: Medical Emergencies
When someone has shown symptoms of a stroke or a TIA (transient ischemic attack), they require immediate medical attention. A doctor will gather information and make a diagnosis and begin a course of treatment depending on the cause of the stroke.
More About Risky Stroke Conditions
- Understand and take control of risky stroke conditions.
- Learn about High Blood Pressure and stroke.