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  |  General Health  |  Diseases and conditions  |  Strokes explained
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Strokes explained

continued from page 3
Risk factors for stroke
There are a number of factors that increase your risk of having a stroke, and many strokes are preventable. The most well-known risk factors include:
  • High blood pressure or hypertension. If high blood pressure is untreated it may damage the walls of the arteries that may then lead to stroke. This is one of the reasons why everyone should have their blood pressure measured from time to time, especially later in life.
  • Smoking. There are many health risks for smokers, and one of these is an increased risk of having a stroke due to damage to the arteries and its contribution to high blood pressure.
  • Diabetes. Those who have diabetes are more likely to have atherosclerosis - 'furred up' arteries - and high blood pressure, both of which contribute to the risk of stroke.
  • Age. Ten per cent of stroke victims are under 45. Women under 45 are more likely to have a stroke than a heart attack. For every decade after 55, your risk of stroke doubles. Two thirds of all strokes occur in people over 65. People over 65 also have a seven-fold greater risk of dying from stroke than the general population.
  • Diet. A high salt diet can contribute to high blood pressure, while a diet rich in sugary, fatty foods can cause arteries to 'fur up'.
  • Family history. Stroke seems to run in some families, and family members may share a genetic predisposition for hypertension or diabetes, both of which are risk factors for stroke. Of course, shared lifestyle habits may also be a factor.
  • Ethnic group. For reasons that are not well understood there is a higher risk of stroke in Asians, Africans and Afro-Caribbeans.


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    This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult your family's health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
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