Risk factors & causes

Many factors can increase your risk of a stroke. Some factors can also increase your chances of having a heart attack. Potentially treatable stroke risk factors include:

Lifestyle risk factors-

• Being overweight or obese
• Physical inactivity
• Heavy or binge drinking
• Use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines

Medical risk factors-

• High blood pressure
• Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Cardiovascular disease, heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or abnormal heart rhythm

Other factors-

• Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack
• Being of the age 55 or older
• Race - African-Americans
• Gender - Men have a higher risk
• Birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen