Adults from all walks of life likely know at least one individual who has suffered a stroke. That person could be a family member, friend, colleague, or other acquaintance. The severity and long-term effects of a stroke can be devastating. Learning the risk factors and responding quickly could save someone’s life.

According to the World Stroke Organization, there are more than 101 million people currently living who have experienced stroke. That group includes men, women and even children. No one is immune to stroke, but many instances of stroke can be prevented. Prevention involves recognition of risk factors individuals can control and subsequent action to reduce exposure to those factors. But the risk for stroke also is heightened by factors beyond individuals’ control, and it’s vital that individuals recognize they might be at elevated risk for stroke even if they’re otherwise healthy.

Risks factors beyond your control

The American Heart Association notes the importance of knowing the following risk factors for stroke, even if there’s nothing people can do to change them.

• Age: Stroke is more common among individuals age 65 and older. That includes both men and women. But, according to Stutter Health around 10-15% of strokes happen in children and adults under age 45 so knowing the symptoms are important for anyone to know.
• Family history: Individuals could be at greater risk of stroke if they have a parent, grandparent, sister, or brother who has had a stroke. Various factors could be behind that link, including a genetic disorder known as CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) that affects blood flow in the brain. Heart conditions can also be a factor. A small percentage of strokes in young adults are caused by a very common condition called patent foramen ovale. About 25% of people have PFO, which develops when a hole between the heart’s chambers doesn’t close during the first few months after birth.
• Race: The AHA reports that African Americans are more likely to die from stroke than Caucasians. Part of that is undoubtedly due to socioeconomic factors such as inadequate access to health care, but the AHA also links this elevated risk to higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity within the Black community.
• Gender: Stroke kills more women than men and women have more strokes than men. Unfortunately, women exhibit symptoms differently than the ones that are more commonly known and seen in men. Women can experience nausea or vomiting, seizures, hiccups, trouble breathing, pain, fainting or loss of consciousness and general weakness. Because these symptoms are unique to women, it may be difficult to immediately connect them to stroke. This can delay treatment, which may hinder recovery.
• Medical history: Individuals with a personal history of stroke and/or transient ischemic attacks, often referred to as “mini-strokes,” are at elevated risk for stroke.

Risk factors you can control

The good news is that individuals, even those with risk factors beyond their control, can lower their risk for stroke. That’s because many of the risk factors for stroke can be monitored and treated before a stroke occurs.

• High blood pressure: The AHA defines high blood pressure as the most significant controllable risk factor for stroke. Annual well visits are vital to preventive health care, which include monitoring blood pressure. When doctors diagnose high blood pressure, individuals should follow their advice in regard to getting blood pressure back to a healthy level. Blood pressure cuffs are affordable and monitoring your blood pressure at home is a great way to ensure your blood pressure remains in a healthy range.
• Smoking: The dangers of smoking are well-documented. The AHA characterizes smoking as paving “the way for stroke.” Never smoking or quitting smoking immediately can lower risk for stroke. Women should know that the AHA reports the use of birth control combined with cigarette smoking can greatly increase the risk of stroke. Birth control pills can also slightly increase the risk in all women and smoking along with taking birth control pushes the risk considerably higher.
• Diabetes: It’s important that individuals with type 1 or 2 diabetes control their blood sugar, as diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for stroke. Every time your blood sugar spikes, it is causing an inflammatory response that damages the lining “wall” of your arteries. LDL particles become trapped behind the damaged lining, causing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis is the number one cause of heart disease and stroke.
• Diet: A poor diet that’s high in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and cholesterol elevates the risk for various conditions, including high blood pressure and obesity, that increase the likelihood of suffering stroke.
• Physical inactivity: The AHA reports that physical inactivity increases risk for stroke. Individuals who live a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, including office workers, are urged to discuss exercise with their physicians.

There are numerous risk factors for stroke, many of which are beyond individuals’ control. However, recognition of these risk factors is often the first step toward adopting a healthy lifestyle that can greatly reduce the chances a person will suffer a stroke.