Stroke risk factors

Risk factors you can change

The following risk factors increase your risk for stroke. You can reduce your risk of having a stroke by following the guidance below:

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure is the single most important stroke risk factor that you can control. Here are some tips:

• Have your blood pressure checked by your doctor. Write down your blood pressure numbers in case you need them in future.
• Reduce the amount of salt in your diet.
• Sensibly increase your level of physical activity.
• Take blood pressure medication as your doctor prescribes

Smoking

Smokers have double the stroke risk of non-smokers. But if you quit now, your stroke risk will drop a great deal within two years. Within five years, your risk will be the same as someone who never smoked. See "Why should I stop smoking" for more on how smoking affects your heart and blood vessels, and for tips on quitting.

High Blood Cholesterol

The link between high cholesterol and stroke isn't as clear as the link between high cholesterol and heart attacks. Still, researchers believe that high blood cholesterol can play a part in blocking the arteries leading to the brain. To control your blood cholesterol:

• Have it checked as your doctor advises.
• Lower the amount of fat in your diet.
• For more information on cholesterol, you can go to "Love your heart. Make the right fat choices for healthy cholesterol levels."

Diabetes

Compared to people without diabetes, diabetics are 2 to 4 times more likely to have a stroke. Almost 20% of people who have a stroke are diabetic. Diabetics have an increased risk for stroke because, over time, high levels of blood glucose can damage the blood vessels leading to the brain.
To reduce your risk of a stroke:

• Take your diabetic medication (either insulin or an oral drug) exactly as prescribed to keep your blood sugar level under control
• Manage your diet carefully
• Talk to your doctor if you cannot keep your blood sugar levels in control

Atrial Fibrillation

About 6% of the population aged 65 and older have a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation. Having this disorder increases the risk that blood clots will form, which can lead to a strokes. If you are on medication for atrial fibrillation, take it as prescribed.

Birth Control Pills

The birth control pills on the market today are much safer than the forms used decades ago. The use of birth control pills by women under the age of 35 who don't smoke does not increase the risk of a stroke.
However, in a small proportion of women, taking birth control pills raises the risk of high blood pressure and blood clots, which raises the risk of having a stroke. The risk is greater if you:

• smoke
• already have high blood pressure
• already have a blood clotting problem
• are over the age of 40

Alcohol

Drinking in moderation doesn't appear to affect your risk of having a stroke. But drinking too much can increase the risk, so control how much alcohol you drink. Healthy adults should limit how much they drink to 2 drinks or less per day. Also, men shouldn't have more than 14 standard size drinks each week, and women shouldn't exceed 9 standard drinks each week.
A standard drink is roughly:

• 350 ml/12 oz of beer
• 150 ml/5 oz of wine
• 
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  50 ml/1.5 oz of spirits

Weight

Losing extra fat will help to control the other stroke risk factors listed above. The best way to lose weight is to combine healthy eating with regular, moderate physical activity.

For guidelines on healthy amounts of physical activity, see Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living. For details on what makes up a healthy balanced diet, take a look at Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating (External link) . Dietitians of Canada (External link) 's site can also help you achieve your healthy eating and active living goals.

Learn more about what you can do to help prevent a stroke.

Risk factors you can't change

Unfortunately, there are some risk factors for stroke that you cannot change. These include:

• Age - Your chances of having a stroke go up as you get older. Two thirds of strokes occur among people over 65.
•  Gender - Men have a slightly higher stroke risk than women. However, more women than men die from strokes because they tend to live longer than men.
•  Ethnic origin - Canadians of First Nations/Aboriginal peoples and Canadians of African, Hispanic and South Asian descent have higher rates of high blood pressure and diabetes, which are conditions that can lead to stroke.
•  Family history - Your risk is higher if your immediate family members (grandparents, parents or siblings) had a stroke before they were 65.
•  Prior stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack/TIA) - Up to a third of people who survive a first stroke or mini-stroke (TIA) have another stroke within 5 years.