Stroke Risk Factors

Posted: Sept. 1, 2005

People who are at higher-than-average risk for stroke include those who have:

• High blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, puts stress on the walls of blood vessels and can lead to strokes from blood clots or hemorrhage. Half or more of all stroke victims have uncontrolled high blood pressure. Fortunately, this risk factor for stroke can be controlled. Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly can help control high blood pressure. Medications that lower blood pressure also may be prescribed.
• High Cholesterol. High cholesterol can lead to blockage in the carotid artery that takes blood from the neck to the brain. A piece of this plaque can break off and travel to the brain causing a stroke.
• Heart disease. Approximately 15 percent of all stroke victims have a common heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation, that causes the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) to quiver instead of beating which allows the blood to pool and clot. If a clot breaks off and enters the blood stream to the brain, a stroke will occur.
• Personal history of stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). People who have already suffered a stroke or TIA are at increased risk of having another. Modifying risk factors for stroke, including lifestyle changes (e.g. exercise, stop smoking), medications and/or other treatments can reduce this risk.
• Lifestyle risk factors. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and being overweight are all significant risk factors for stroke. High cholesterol can lead to blockage in the carotid artery that takes blood from the neck to the brain. A piece of this plaque can break off and travel to the brain causing a stroke.
• Age, gender and race. The risk of stroke goes up with age, with two-thirds of all strokes occurring in individuals 65 years or older. Twenty-eight percent of strokes occur in people under the age of 65. Males have a slightly higher risk than females although more women die from them. African Americans are at a much higher risk in part because they are at increased risk for obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, which increase the risk for stroke.
• Family history of stroke or TIA. If others in your family have suffered stroke, you may be at higher risk. Regular physical exams, lifestyle changes and medical treatments may reduce this risk.
• Diabetes. People with diabetes are at increased risk for stroke, although keeping diabetes under control with diet and/or medication may help to decrease the risk.
• Sickle Cell Anemia. Sickle cell anemia makes red blood cells less able to carry blood to the body's tissues and organs, as well as stick to the walls of the blood vessels, which can block arteries to the brain causing a stroke.
• Hyper-homocysteinemia. Elevated homocysteine levels in the blood have been identified as a risk factor for heart attack and stroke that may be as important as high cholesterol. Homocysteine is a by-product of the process that metabolizes methionine, an amino acid essential in human nutrition.

Source: Society for Interventional Radiology

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