Risk Factors for Stroke

Risk factors for stroke include many of the same risk factors as heart attack:

• Family history
• Age
• Sex
• Race*
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Undesirable levels of blood cholesterol
• Cigarette smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Cardiovascular disease
• Previous stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack, a temporary interruption of blood flow to a part of the brain, possibly signaling an impending stroke)
• Elevated homocysteine (an amino acid)
• Use of birth control pills and hormone therapy
• Heavy or binge drinking
• The use of illicit drugs such as cocaine, and
• Uncontrolled stress

*[Editor's Note: For a better understanding of this risk factor, please see our article on race as a risk factor.]