What increases my risk for a stroke?
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A doctor can often diagnose a stroke by observing a person's symptoms. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a CT scan (computed tomography) can help identify the type and severity of the stroke as well. Low blood sugar levels can cause similar symptoms to a stroke, so doctors may check for this, too.A doctor can often diagnose a stroke by observing a person's symptoms. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a CT scan (computed tomography) can help identify the type and severity of the stroke as well. Low blood sugar levels can cause similar... More
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Healthwise answered:A risk factor is anything that makes you more likely to have a particular health problem. Risk factors for stroke that you can treat or change include:
Risk factors you can treat or change:
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Atrial fibrillation.
- Diabetes.
- Smoking.
- High cholesterol.
- Heavy use of alcohol.
- Being overweight.
- Physical inactivity.
Risk factors you cannot change include:
- Age. The risk of stroke increases with age.
- Race. African Americans, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have a higher risk than those of other races.
- Gender. Stroke is more common in men than women until age 75, when more women than men have strokes. Because women live longer than men, more women have strokes each year.
- Family history. The risk for stroke is greater if a parent, brother or sister has had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
- History of stroke or TIA.
A risk factor is anything that makes you more likely to have a particular health problem. Risk factors for stroke that you can treat or change include: Risk factors you can treat or change: High blood pressure (hypertension). Atrial... More -
Dr. Sergio Gonzalez-Arias of Baptist Health South Florida answered:There are many risk factors for stroke that you can control. Those include: high blood pressure (hypertension); atrial fibrillation; diabetes; smoking; high cholesterol; excessive use of alcohol; being overweight; and physical inactivity.
Risk factors that you cannot change include age, race, gender and family history.
The risk of stroke increases with age. Some ethnic groups are found to have a higher risk for stroke, including African Americans and Native Americans. Stroke is more common in men, at least until the age of 75. Over the age of 75, more women have strokes than men.There are many risk factors for stroke that you can control. Those include: high blood pressure (hypertension); atrial fibrillation; diabetes; smoking; high cholesterol; excessive use of alcohol; being overweight; and physical inactivity.Risk... More
