What increases my risk for a stroke?

Risk factors you cannot control include:

• Age: The risk for stroke increases with age and doubles every decade you are over 55.
• Race: African-Americans and Hispanics have a higher risk than those of other races. Compared with whites, young African-Americans have 2 to 3 times the risk of ischemic stroke, and are more likely to die from stroke.
• Gender: Stroke is more common in men than women. However, stroke is more severe in women: at all ages, more women than men die of stroke.
• Family history: The risk for stroke is greater if a parent, brother, or sister has cardivascular or cerebrovascular disease (heart attacks or strokes).
• Prior history of stroke or TIA: About 14% of people who have a stroke have another stroke within 1 year, and 25% have another stroke within 5 years.

Risk factors that you can change include: (see Stroke Prevention)

• High blood pressure (hypertension): High blood pressure is the second most important stroke risk factor after age.
• Diabetes: About one-quarter of people with diabetes die of stroke. Having diabetes doubles your risk for stroke.
• High cholesterol.
• Other heart conditions: Heart problems, such as atrial fibrillation, endocarditis, heart valve conditions, and cardiomyopathy, increase your risk for stroke.
• Rarely: Other diseases and conditions, such as lupus, syphilis, hemophilia, pneumonia, high levels of homocysteine, and periodontal disease.