If you have a genetic pre-disposition to hypertension, high cholesterol problems, or diabetes, your stroke risk is greatly increased.

The Good News
The heart attack and stroke causes and heart attack have been identified and can be decreased through regular doctor visits and good heart health patterns and other stroke prevention tactics.

How to Stay Healthy and Reduce Stroke Risk

  • Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke
  • Make sure you eat a heart healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat or non-fat dairy products, fish, legumes, poultry, and lean meats 
  • Avoid saturated fats, cholesterol, and trans-fatty acids 
  • Limit alcohol consumption to 2 drinks a day per day for men, 1 drink for women 
  • Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity four to five days per week
  • Stay slim (BMI should be 18.5-24.9)
  • Take a low dose aspirin often


Stroke Prevention and Risk Factors You Should Get Screened For 
The American Heart Association recommends beginning screenings for stroke risk factors at age 20 and assessing smoking status, diet, alcohol intake, and physical activity level should annually.  It’s also recommended that blood pressure, weight/body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and pulse (to screen for atrial fibrillation) be recorded every two years, while a  fasting cholesterol profile and fasting blood sugar should be checked every 2-5 years depending on each person's personal risk assessment.

For further information, refer to: "AHA Guidelines for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: 2002 Update," Pearson, T MD PhD; Blair, S PED; Daniels, S MD PhD; Eckel R MD; Fair, J RN PhD; Fortmann, S MD; Franklin, B PhD; Goldstein, L MD; Greenland P MD; Grundy, S MD PhD; Hong, Y MD PhD; Miller, N RN; Lauer, R MD; Ockene, I MD; Sacco, R MD MS; Sallis, J  Jr PhD; Smith, S Jr MD; Stone, N MD; Taubert, K PhD, Circulation, vol 101, 2002.

See Related Articles
Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables may prevent a stroke.  For more information about diet and stroke prevention, see Fruits and Veggies Key to Stroke Prevention.

Learn about an arthritis medication that may lower the risk of a stroke, in Stroke and Heart Attack Risk May Be Reduced by Arthritis Medications.