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Reduce Your Risk
Use the following guidelines to help reduce your risk of stroke. As with any health concerns, you'll want to talk to your
doctor.
There are some unmodifiable risk factors for stroke such as*:
Hispanics and Native Americans have stroke incidence and mortality rates more similar to those of white
Americans. In Asian-Americans stroke incidence and mortality rates are also similar to those in white Americans,
even though Asians in Japan, China, and other countries of the Far East have significantly higher stroke incidence
and mortality rates than white Americans. This suggests that environment and lifestyle factors play a large role in
stroke risk.
However, about 80% of strokes can be prevented! What can you do to reduce your risk?
*Adapted from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) website.
doctor.
There are some unmodifiable risk factors for stroke such as*:
- Age: Incidence of stroke more than doubles each decade after age 55.
- Sex: Incidence of stroke is approximately 30% higher for men than women, but more women die from stroke.
- Race: Stroke is most common in people of African American, Hispanic and Asian-Pacific Islander decent. The
incidence of stroke among African-Americans is almost double that of white Americans, and twice as many African-
Americans who have a stroke die from the event compared to white Americans.
Hispanics and Native Americans have stroke incidence and mortality rates more similar to those of white
Americans. In Asian-Americans stroke incidence and mortality rates are also similar to those in white Americans,
even though Asians in Japan, China, and other countries of the Far East have significantly higher stroke incidence
and mortality rates than white Americans. This suggests that environment and lifestyle factors play a large role in
stroke risk.
- Family History: having a family history of stroke increases your risk of having one. Members of a family might have a
genetic tendency for stroke risk factors, such as an inherited predisposition for hypertension or diabetes. The
influence of a common lifestyle among family members could also contribute to familial stroke.
However, about 80% of strokes can be prevented! What can you do to reduce your risk?
*Adapted from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) website.
Maintain a healthy
blood pressure
blood pressure
Approximately 70% of all strokes are related to high blood pressure. Have your blood
pressure routinely monitored, and ask your doctor what your healthy target zone should be
for your blood pressure. The general rule is that resting blood pressure should be less
than 120/80mmHG. High pressures suggest that blood is being pushed through vessels
that may be hardened or narrowed due to atherosclerosis (hardening of vessels) or
formation of plaque. Ask your doctor how to safely lower your blood pressure if it is not in
the healthy target zone. Blood pressure can generally be controlled through proper diet,
exercise and medication.
pressure routinely monitored, and ask your doctor what your healthy target zone should be
for your blood pressure. The general rule is that resting blood pressure should be less
than 120/80mmHG. High pressures suggest that blood is being pushed through vessels
that may be hardened or narrowed due to atherosclerosis (hardening of vessels) or
formation of plaque. Ask your doctor how to safely lower your blood pressure if it is not in
the healthy target zone. Blood pressure can generally be controlled through proper diet,
exercise and medication.
Stop smoking!
Stop Smoking! Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that cause blood platelets stick
together and form clots. Smoking also causes a short-term increase in blood pressure
and damage to blood vessel walls. Combined, these effects greatly increase your risk of
stroke. Stop smoking today, and your risk of stroke will incrementally decrease over time.
together and form clots. Smoking also causes a short-term increase in blood pressure
and damage to blood vessel walls. Combined, these effects greatly increase your risk of
stroke. Stop smoking today, and your risk of stroke will incrementally decrease over time.
Control your diabetes
People with diabetes mellitus have abnormal production of and/or response to insulin.
Insulin is a chemical that allows the body to use glucose (sugar). Severe fluctuations in
glucose cause a variety of problems. Talk with your doctor and learn how to keep your
blood sugar under control through proper diet, exercise, and the use of medication.
Insulin is a chemical that allows the body to use glucose (sugar). Severe fluctuations in
glucose cause a variety of problems. Talk with your doctor and learn how to keep your
blood sugar under control through proper diet, exercise, and the use of medication.
Keep healthy levels of
blood cholesterol
blood cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft waxy substance that is normally produced by the body, as well as
obtained through the foods you eat. There are two types of cholesterols: Low Density
Lipid (LDL) and High Density Lipid (HDL). Too much LDL is lousy for your health and
can greatly increase your risk of stroke. On the other hand, high levels of HDL offer
some protection against stroke. The ratio of LDL and HDL in total blood cholesterol is
greatly influenced by what you eat and how much you exercise.
obtained through the foods you eat. There are two types of cholesterols: Low Density
Lipid (LDL) and High Density Lipid (HDL). Too much LDL is lousy for your health and
can greatly increase your risk of stroke. On the other hand, high levels of HDL offer
some protection against stroke. The ratio of LDL and HDL in total blood cholesterol is
greatly influenced by what you eat and how much you exercise.
Treat atrial fibrillation
There is a five-fold increase in the risk of stroke in people who experience abnormal
activity of the atrial (upper) chambers of the heart. During atrial fibrillation, the upper
chambers of the heart flutter, causing blood to toss and churn and thereby form clots.
When the heart has a strong contraction, the clots are pumped from the heart into the
blood vessels and may become lodged in the small vessels of the brain, causing an
ischemic stroke. People who have atrial fibrillation complain of a fluttering feeling in the
chest and irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation can generally be controlled with medication.
activity of the atrial (upper) chambers of the heart. During atrial fibrillation, the upper
chambers of the heart flutter, causing blood to toss and churn and thereby form clots.
When the heart has a strong contraction, the clots are pumped from the heart into the
blood vessels and may become lodged in the small vessels of the brain, causing an
ischemic stroke. People who have atrial fibrillation complain of a fluttering feeling in the
chest and irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation can generally be controlled with medication.
Exercise
Routine exercise has been shown to decrease the formation of blood clots and to
decrease blood pressure. Establish a consistent and moderate exercise program, such
as walking 20 minutes, three times a week.
decrease blood pressure. Establish a consistent and moderate exercise program, such
as walking 20 minutes, three times a week.
Most of the risk factors for stroke mentioned before are the same for men and women. There are a few stroke risk factors
that are unique to women. They include:
Birth Control Pills.
Women smokers who use birth control pills have a higher risk of stroke than nonsmokers who use them. In women under
the age of 35 who don’t smoke, their use does not increase the risk of stroke. The risk is greater if you already have other
risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or if you are obese. Women who use or are considering using
birth control pills should discuss the possible benefits and risks to them with their physicians.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Some studies have shown that HRT increases the risk of stroke. The FDA recommends that hormone therapy be used at
the lowest doses for the shortest duration needed to achieve treatment goals. HRT should be used only if the
menaupausal symptoms are severe. Postmenopausal women who use or are considering using hormone therapy should
discuss the possible benefits and risks to them with their physicians.
Pregnancy.
Recent studies indicate that the risk of stroke may be higher in women during pregnancy and the six weeks following
childbirth. Strokes associated with pregnancy and childbirth are usually the result of an underlying problem such as a pre-
existing blood vessel malformation or eclampsia (a toxic condition associated with a small number of pregnancies). It is
important to have your blood pressure checked throughout your pregnancy, as well as monitor any other risk factors.
A few studies have suggested that women tend to have non-typical symptoms of stroke . Some of the reported symptoms
include face pain and limb pain, disorientation and lowered levels of consciousness, hiccups or nausea, chest pain or
shortness of breath, and palpitations. However, these symptoms are fairly non specific and there are many alternative
reasons for them. To learn the most important and specific symptoms of stroke for both men and women click here.
Sources:
- American Heart Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
- Sex and Acute Stroke Presentation (Original Research) LA Labiche, W Chan, KR Saldin, LB Morgenstern. Annals of
Emergency Medicine, Volume 40, Issue 5, Pages 453-460 (November 2002).
Top
that are unique to women. They include:
Birth Control Pills.
Women smokers who use birth control pills have a higher risk of stroke than nonsmokers who use them. In women under
the age of 35 who don’t smoke, their use does not increase the risk of stroke. The risk is greater if you already have other
risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or if you are obese. Women who use or are considering using
birth control pills should discuss the possible benefits and risks to them with their physicians.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Some studies have shown that HRT increases the risk of stroke. The FDA recommends that hormone therapy be used at
the lowest doses for the shortest duration needed to achieve treatment goals. HRT should be used only if the
menaupausal symptoms are severe. Postmenopausal women who use or are considering using hormone therapy should
discuss the possible benefits and risks to them with their physicians.
Pregnancy.
Recent studies indicate that the risk of stroke may be higher in women during pregnancy and the six weeks following
childbirth. Strokes associated with pregnancy and childbirth are usually the result of an underlying problem such as a pre-
existing blood vessel malformation or eclampsia (a toxic condition associated with a small number of pregnancies). It is
important to have your blood pressure checked throughout your pregnancy, as well as monitor any other risk factors.
A few studies have suggested that women tend to have non-typical symptoms of stroke . Some of the reported symptoms
include face pain and limb pain, disorientation and lowered levels of consciousness, hiccups or nausea, chest pain or
shortness of breath, and palpitations. However, these symptoms are fairly non specific and there are many alternative
reasons for them. To learn the most important and specific symptoms of stroke for both men and women click here.
Sources:
- American Heart Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
- Sex and Acute Stroke Presentation (Original Research) LA Labiche, W Chan, KR Saldin, LB Morgenstern. Annals of
Emergency Medicine, Volume 40, Issue 5, Pages 453-460 (November 2002).
Top
| Peninsula Stroke Association 3801 Miranda Avenue, Building 6, Room A162, Palo Alto, CA 94304 Phone (650) 565-8485 Fax (650) 565-8482 support@psastroke.org © Copyright 2006. Peninsula Stroke Association. All rights reserved. |
| The Peninsula Stroke Association (PSA) is a not-for-profit organization serving the people of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in Northern California. PSA's mission is to reduce the incidence of stroke through education and to help alleviate stroke's devastating aftermath through programs to support survivors and caregivers. |