Uncontrollable Risk Factors

 
Some risk factors are controllable while others are not.  The following are the things you can't control but that do increase your risk for stroke.

Age.  A stroke can happen to anyone, but your risk of stroke increases with age.  After the age of 55, your stroke risk doubles for every decade.

Gender.  Stroke is more common in men than women.  But more women than men die from stroke.

Race.  If you are African American, your risk is twice the rate for whites.  If you are Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, your stroke risk is also higher than Caucasions.

Family History.  If someone in your family has had a stroke, you have a higher risk of stroke yourself.

Previous Stroke or TIA.  If you have already had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (ministroke), you have a 25-40% chance of having another stroke in the next 5 years.

Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will automatically have a stroke.  But because your stroke risk is higher, it's even more important that you ask your doctor about changes you can make to prevent a stroke.

Remember, 80% of strokes are preventable. Which means that every year, up to 600,000 Americans could have prevented their strokes.  You can prevent a stroke!

Learn more about African Americans and strokes.