Stroke Risk Factors
Many common health conditions and behaviors can increase your chances of having a stroke. The best way to protect yourself from a stroke is to understand your risk and how to control it. Living a healthy lifestyle and working with your health care team can lower your risk for stroke. [6]
Health Conditions that increase your chances of a stroke [6]:
- Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini stroke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Sickle cell disease
Health Behaviors that increase the risk for stroke [6]:
- Eating a diet high in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol
- Not getting enough physical activity
- Heavy alcohol use
- Tobacco use
