Stroke Risk Factors

 

Stroke Risk Factors

Stroke is dangerous and deadly — the No. 5 killer and a leading cause of disability in America. But you can control and treat several risk factors for stroke.

patient attending a virtual doctors appointment
 
 

Stroke Risk Factors You Can Control, Treat and Improve

Doctor in consultation with male patient
 

Keep your stroke risks low with regular checkups and treatment for these conditions if you have them.

Stroke Risk Factors That Are Not Within Your Control

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You can't control some risk factors, but knowing that they exist may help motivate you to work harder on the ones you can change.

Additional Factors That May Be Linked to Higher Stroke Risks

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Whether your risks are related to changeable factors or are primarily outside of your control, you can benefit your heart and your brain with healthy lifestyle choices.

Managing Risky Conditions  

Atherosclerosis 

Illustration of Atherosclerosis
 

 Atherosclerosis

Atrial Fibrillation 

Illustration of a heart
 

Atrial Fibrillation

High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure
 

 High Blood Pressure

Social Determinants of Health and Risk Factors

The Urgent Need for Health Equity

Everyone has an optimal, just opportunity to be healthy. But this is not the reality for many people of color and others whose health suffers because of social factors beyond their control. People suffer when they lack access to quality care, nutritious food and other basic health needs. 

Mounting 'social determinants' could magnify stroke risk

The cumulative effect of several social factors can more than double the risk of stroke in people under 75, according to new research that examined the impact of living in a poor or rural area, having low education or income level, lacking health insurance or being Black.

Environment, culture, other social determinants play big role in heart health

Social determinants of health are factors that influence where and how people live, learn, work and play. They provide context to a person's life and can play just as big of a role in affecting health as medications and physical lifestyle changes.

hmproudlove/E+, Getty Images

Stroke patients more likely to die in rural hospitals than in urban ones

 

Celebrate the Men in Your Life

Nearly 50% of all adult men have high blood pressure. Monitor your blood pressure regularly to help reduce your risk of stroke. 

 

Diabetes and Stroke

It’s important to understand the connection between diabetes and stroke, recognize the risk factors and take steps to stay healthy.

Uncommon Causes of Stroke

Most strokes are caused by conditions such as atrial fibrillation, hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure. But there are less common causes as well.

Women face higher risk of stroke

Stroke in U.S. Women by the Numbers

  • One in 5 women will have a stroke.
  • About 55,000 more women than men have a stroke each year.
  • Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death in women.
  • Stroke kills over 80,000 women a year.

 Learn about the unique risk factors women face and ways to lower them

woman wearing mask motioning heart with hands
 

Live Great – Ideas to help kids stay heart and brain health from the American Stroke Association and Dee-1

The American Stroke Association and rapper, Dee-1 want kids (and grownups) everywhere to focus on ways to be active and live longer, healthier lives. 

Let's Talk About Stroke Prevention, Risk Factors and Types of Stroke

 

Stroke  Family Warmline:
1-888-4-STROKE or 1-888-478-7653
Monday-Friday: 8AM-5PM CST
 

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