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Stroke Risk Factors

Risk Factors for Stroke

Risk factors are traits and lifestyle habits that increase your risk of stroke. Some risk factors can be controlled, others cannot. In addition, there are specific risks to different demographic groups, including: Children, Women and African Americans.

Risk factors you can’t control include:

  • Gender. Men have a greater risk of stroke than women; however, more women than men die of stroke.
  • Heredity and Race. Your risk of stroke is greater if a parent, grandparent, sister or brother has had stroke. African Americans have a much higher risk than Caucasians do, in part because they have a higher risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
  • Family history of stroke. Just as you can't control your age, sex and race, you can’t control your family history. If your brother, father, mother or sister have had a stroke, the risk is greater that you may have one. If you’ve had a stroke, you’re at a much higher risk of having another one.

Risk factors you can control include:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension). Also called the “silent killer,” high blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke. It’s referred to as the “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms. Know your blood pressure and have it checked at least once a year - or more often if it is above the normal range. (It should be lower than 140/90 mmHg.) If you have high blood pressure make sure you are seen by your physician on a regular basis.
  • Tobacco Use. People who smoke cigarettes or cigars have a much higher risk of having a stroke. Regular exposure to other people’s smoke, even if you don’t smoke, increases your risk of having a stroke, too. If you smoke, take steps to quit. When you stop smoking, no matter how long or how much you’ve smoked, your risk of stroke starts to drop.
  • High blood cholesterol. Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance in the body. A high level of cholesterol in the blood increases your risk of stroke. Following a sensible diet and seeking treatment from your physician can reduce your cholesterol.
  • Physical Inactivity and Obesity. Being inactive, obese or both can increase your risk of stroke. Regular physical activity helps reduce your risk of stroke. Strive to get 30 minutes or more of moderate intensity physical activity on a daily basis.
  • Diabetes. Diabetes is controllable but having it greatly increases the risk of having a stroke. If you have diabetes, follow your physician’s instructions for treating it. Make sure your blood glucose level is under control, eat a healthy diet and never stop taking your medication without first talking to your physician.
  • Carotid (or other) Artery Disease. The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. A carotid artery narrowed by fatty deposits from atherosclerosis may become blocked by a blood clot. Peripheral artery disease is the narrowing of blood vessels carrying blood to leg and arm muscles. People with peripheral artery disease have a higher risk of carotid disease, which raises their risk of stroke.
  • Atrial fibrillation or other heart disease. Atrial fibrillation raises the risk for stroke because the heart’s upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively. This allows the blood to pool and clot. A stroke will result if a clot breaks off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain. People with coronary artery disease or heart failure are more than twice as likely to have a stroke than those with no heart disease. Dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), heart valve disease and some types of congenital heart defects also raise the risk of stroke.
  • Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs). TIAs are mini-strokes that produce stroke-like symptoms but no permanent damage. It is very important to recognize and treat a TIA as they often occur months or even years prior to a stroke. TIAs are usually treated with drugs that keep clots from forming.
  • Certain blood disorders. A high red blood cell count thickens the blood and makes forming blood clots more likely which raises the risk of stroke. Doctors treat this problem by removing blood cells or prescribing drugs such as blood thinners. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder that mainly affects African Americans. Sickled red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to tissue and organs and they also tend to stick to blood vessel walls. This can block arteries to the brain and cause a stroke.
  • Stress. We all have stress but we feel it in different amounts and react in different ways. Find healthy ways to handle stress. If you think your reaction to stress may be hurting your health or increasing your risk factors, see your physician for ways to deal with your stress.
  • Excessive alcohol intake. Drinking in excess raises blood pressure and can cause heart failure and lead to stroke. Women should not have more than one alcoholic drink a day on average. Men should not have an average of more than two drinks a day. If you don’t drink, don’t start; and if you do drink, do so in moderation.
  • Illegal drugs. IV (intravenous) drug abuse carries a high risk of infections of the heart and stroke. Cocaine use has been linked to strokes and heart attacks. If you feel you have a drug abuse problem see your physician for treatment.


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