Stroke Heredity

• Family history. Having a family history of stroke increases the chance of stroke. Find out more about this type of risk at CDC's genomics and disease prevention Web site.
  
  
• Age and gender. The older you are, the more likely you are to have a stroke. For ages 65 and older, men are at greater risk than women to have a stroke.¹
  
  
• Race and ethnicity. Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indian/Alaska Natives have a greater chance of having a stroke than do non-Hispanic whites or Asians. See CDC's interactive maps to learn more about race and the risk for stroke.

Reference

1. NIH. Morbidity and Mortality: 2009 Chartbook on Cardiovascular, Lung, and Blood Diseases. Bethesda, MD: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute;2009.