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Who is at Risk for Stroke?
Posted: Jan. 1, 2008
It is a myth that stroke occurs only in older adults. A person of any age can have a stroke. But, stroke risk does increase with age. For every 10 years after the age of 55, the risk of stroke doubles, and two-thirds of all strokes occur in people over 65 years old.
Stroke also seems to run in some families. Stroke risk doubles if someone in the immediate family (mom, dad, sister or brother) has had a stroke.
Adults who smoke or who have high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (a kind of irregular heart beat), heart disease or diabetes are more likely to have a stroke.
Hormonal changes with pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are also linked to an increased risk of stroke.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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