STROKE RISK FACTORS
STROKE RISK FACTORS
Risk factors are things, behaviors or medical conditions that increase your risk of having a stroke. Each person has their own risk factor profile. The risk factors that can increase your risk of having a stroke can be divided into two categories, factors that you can and cannot control. Talk to your healthcare provider to identify your personal risk factor profile.
STROKE RISK FACTORS
  • Age-the older you get, the greater your chances of having a stroke
  • Gender-men have a greater risk of having a stroke until women reach menopause when the risk equalizes
  • Family history of stroke
  • Previous stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA or mini-stroke)
  • Ethnicity-First Nations people and those of African or South Asian descent are more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes and therefore, are at greater risk of heart disease and stroke than the general population
RISK FACTORS YOU CAN DO SOMETHING
ABOUT (MODIFIABLE)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Heart Disease / Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart beat)
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Unhealthy weight
  • Unhealthy diet (full of salt and processed food)
  • Excessive alcohol consumption and recreational drug use
  • Physical inactivity
  • Birth control and hormone replacement therapy (estrogen hormone can increase the risk of blood clots)
  • Stress

CONTINUE TO THE PREVENTION PAGE FOR INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ON SMALL CHANGES THAT YOU CAN MAKE TO DECREASE YOUR RISK FOR HAVING A STROKE.

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