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RISK FACTORS
Risk factors are characteristics that can increase your chance of stroke. Some risk factors cannot be changed.
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- Age – Although a stroke can occur at any age, your risk of stroke increases as you get older.
- Gender – Although women have a slightly higher incidence of stroke, they are more likely to die of stroke than are men.
- Family or individual history – Your risk of stroke is higher if a parent or sibling has had a stroke. Also, you are at higher risk if you have already had a stroke or TIA, a “mini-stroke.”
- Race – Blacks are at greater risk, partly due to a higher incidence of hypertension. Also, blacks can suffer strokes at an earlier age.
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Other risk factors can be controlled through screening, medicine, and lifestyle changes.
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- High blood pressure – the most common controllable cause of stroke
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease*
- Atrial fibrillation – caused when the upper chambers of the heart beat erratically
- Diabetes*
- Obesity and poor diet*
- Lack of exercise*
- Sickle cell anemia
- Cigarette smoking*
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