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Factors that increase a person's risk
of stroke but cannot be changed include:
Age and stroke
Most people who have strokes are over the
age of 55, and the risk of stroke increases with age - the
older a person is, the higher the risk of stroke.
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Sex and stroke
Both men and women have strokes, but men have
a higher risk than women.
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Family history and stroke
A person with a close relative who has had a
stroke or heart attack (especially before the age of 65) may be
at higher risk of stroke.
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Race, ethnicity and stroke
African Americans tend to have a higher risk of
stroke than other racial and ethnic groups.
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Most risk factors for stroke can be modified
to reduce risk, either through lifestyle changes or through
medication, if needed. These include:
Tobacco smoke and stroke
The chemicals in tobacco smoke increase the
build up of plaque in artery walls and promote the development
of blood clots that can cause strokes. Smoking increases the
risk of stroke by itself, and it can also increase the effects
other stroke risk factors like diabetes,
high blood pressure (hypertension), and high cholesterol.
Smokers have more than twice the risk of stroke compared to
non-smokers. Exposure to tobacco smoke, including cigar and
pipe smoke, increases your chance of stroke. New evidence
shows that even passive smoke (the smoke from someone else's
cigarettes) may increase the risk of stroke.
Tobacco use also increases your risk of
heart attack,
peripheral vascular disease, emphysema, bronchitis,
diabetes,
osteoporosis and
cancers of the
lung,
bladder,
kidney,
pancreas,
cervix,
lip, mouth, tongue, larynx, throat and esophagus. For many
people, quitting smoking is the single best thing they can do
do to improve their health.
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Weight, waist size and stroke
The risk of stroke goes up as body weight
increases. This is especially true for people who carry extra
body fat around the waist (called "apple shaped"). Extra
weight puts extra strain on the whole body, increasing the
risk of
diabetes,
high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Maintaining a
healthy weight not only decreases the risk of stroke, it also
decreases the risk of
heart attacks
and cancer of the
colon,
kidney,
breast and
uterus.
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Diet and stroke
There are many dietary factors that you can use
to lower your risk of stroke. Foods like fruits, vegetables and
whole grains decrease the risk of stroke and other diseases, like
heart disease.
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Physical activity and stroke
Exercise is one of the best ways to help
maintain a healthy weight. Not only does exercise decrease
the risk of stroke, it also helps prevent other diseases such
as
heart disease,
osteoporosis,
diabetes and
colon cancer.
Even just 30 minutes of moderate exercise (like walking) daily
can decrease your risk of disease.
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Blood pressure and stroke
Blood pressure is the force created when the
heart pumps blood. When a person has high blood pressure
(hypertension), the heart has to pump harder and the blood
vessels are under increased pressure, which can lead to
injury of the vessels and stroke. Hypertension is also
associated with an increased risk of
heart disease
and kidney damage. Some people are able to control their blood
pressure with diet and exercise, while others need medication.
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Diabetes and stroke
People with diabetes do not have normal
control of their blood sugar levels, and the high blood sugar
that results from this condition can cause damage to the body,
including the nerves and blood vessels. Diabetes by itself
increases the risk of stroke and it also increases the risk of
stroke associated with other conditions, like hypertension,
smoking and high cholesterol. Avoiding smoking, staying
physically active and maintaining a healthy weight can all
help control or prevent adult-onset diabetes, and medication
is also available if needed.
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Blood cholesterol and stroke
There are different types of cholesterol in
the body. If the blood cholesterol is at unhealthy levels it
can lead to damage of the blood vessel walls. Blood tests
can show if your LDL is too high or if your HDL is too low.
Diet, exercise, weight control and avoiding smoking can all
help control your cholesterol levels. Your doctor can also
prescribe medications if necessary.
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