What are stroke risk factors?
Stroke risk factors are medical conditions or behaviors or traits
that make you more likely to develop a stroke. Having one or more
risk factors does not mean that you definitely will have a stroke,
only that you are more likely to do so.
More than 750 thousand people suffer from stroke in the U.S.
each year, but up to 50% of strokes could be prevented. In the case
of stroke, many of the risk factors can be treated, modified or
controlled. However, some risk factors for stroke cannot be
changed.
Controllable risk factors
- Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the single most
important risk factor for stroke. Normal blood pressure is 120/80
mmHg or less. The target for blood pressure treatment in adults is
to keep the blood pressure at 140/90 or below, or 130/80 or below
for high-risk patients.
- Smoking remains the most important preventable cause of
premature death in the country. If you smoke, quit, and if you
don't smoke, don't start. Look for smoking cessation resources in
your community.
- Heart disease, especially atrial fibrillation (a type of
irregular heartbeat), is a significant risk factor for stroke. If
you have heart disease, carefully follow your treatment plan.
- Diabetes mellitus increases stroke risk, especially for
strokes due to damage of small blood vessels. A normal HbA1c is 6%
or less. The usual target for control is a HbA1c of < 6.5% or a
fasting blood sugar of 80-120 mg/dl.
- High cholesterol (also called hyperlipidemia) increases
the risk of stroke. Have your cholesterol level checked and control
your cholesterol level. Limit the amount of fat and cholesterol you
eat. What cholesterol levels are considered to be normal will vary
on your risk profile for stroke or heart disease. The target level
of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol, is less
than 100 mg/dL or less than 70 mg/dL for high-risk patients.
- Excessive alcohol intake is associated with stroke risk.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to a maximum of one drink per
day for women and two drinks per day for men.
- Being overweight or obese and leading a sedentary lifestyle
may increase your risk of developing hypertension and
diabetes, two risk factors for stroke. This is particularly true if
the waist measures over 35 inches in women or over 40 inches in
men.
- Existing carotid and/or coronary artery disease
Uncontrollable risk factors
- Age: People of all ages, including children, have
strokes. However, the risk of stroke increases as we get
older.
- Gender: Stroke is more common in men than in women.
However, women account for more than half of all stroke deaths.
This is because women are more likely to have a stroke than a heart
attack as their first event.
- Race: African Americans have a much higher risk of death
from a stroke than Caucasians do. This is partly because they have
higher risks of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
- Family history: Your stroke risk is greater if a parent,
grandparent, sister, or brother has had a stroke or if a family
member has had a heart attack at an early age.
- Prior stroke or heart attack: A person who has already
had a stroke or heart attack is at much higher risk of having a
second stroke.
Your doctor can evaluate your risk for stroke and help you
control your risk factors. Regular check-ups are important in
detecting problems before they become serious.