Stroke Risk Factors (Uncontrollable)
There are two types of stroke risk factors:
Controllable -see Prevention
Uncontrollable
Age
Family history
Gender
Heart attack
Prior stroke
Race
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
My risk of stroke
Some risk factors are controllable while others are not. Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will automatically have a stroke; however it's even more important that you ask your doctor about changes you can make to prevent a stroke.
The following are risk factors that are uncontrollable.
Age
A stroke can happen to anyone at any age; however your risk of stroke does increase with age.
Although childhood stroke is rare (3 in every 100,000), a small but meaningful percentage of children do have strokes due to birth defects, infections (meningitis, encephalitis), trauma and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease.
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Family history
Stroke can run in families. Your stroke risk is greater if a parent, grandparent, sister or brother has had a stroke.
Genes play a role in stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and vascular conditions.
Sedentary lifestyle or poor eating habits within a family can possibly increase the risk for stroke.
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Gender
Stroke is more common in men than in women, however 62% more women die from stroke.
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Heart attack
If you've had a heart attack, you're at higher risk of having a stroke.
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Prior stroke
The risk of stroke for someone who has already had one is 25-40% greater than that of a person who has not.
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Race
African Americans, Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders have a much higher risk of stroke than Caucasians.
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Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
TIA is also known as a "mini stroke", “pre stroke”, or “warning stroke”. A person who's had one or more TIAs is more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn't.
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What’s my risk of stroke?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has developed a worksheet to help you estimate your risk of stroke and show the benefit of risk-factor control. Working with your doctor, you can develop a strategy to lower your risk to average or even below average for your age.
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For additional information, visit:
American Stroke Association
Centers for Disease Control
National Institutes of Health - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Stroke Association
Peninsula Stroke Association