Time is critical for heart attack and stroke

Primary Stroke Center

Reduce Your Stroke Risk

Some risk factors for stroke may not be controllable, such as age, gender, family history and prior stroke or heart problems. But you do have control to reduce these other risks:

Blood Pressure: You have a six times higher risk for stroke if your blood pressure is consistently higher than 140/90. Statistics prove that patients who control their elevated blood pressure with medication drastically reduce their risk of stroke.

High Cholesterol: A total blood serum cholesterol level of more than 200 can increase the chances of a blockage and double a person’s stroke risk. Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

Smoking: Smokers have two to three times the risk of stroke as nonsmokers. Quit now and your risk of having a stroke will begin to drop immediately. Within five years, you will be at the same risk level as someone who has never smoked.

Heart Disease and Diabetes: While it may not be possible to eliminate the increased risk of stroke associated with heart disease or diabetes, proper treatment and control can significantly reduce its occurrence.

Alcohol: Having more than two alcoholic drinks a day (one for women) or going on drinking binges can increase your stroke risk at any age.

Exercise: If you engage in physical activities for at least 30 minutes three times a week, you have more control over your weight and can lower your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and other circulatory diseases.

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