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Stroke: Know your risk

• More information on stroke: Know your risk

Like heart disease, stroke is a significant problem in the United States. But many things can affect whether or not you develop stroke, some of which you can control. That's why it is important to understand your personal risk factors.

Risk factors are conditions, habits, family history, and other facts about yourself that make you more likely to develop certain diseases. The more risk factors you have, the higher your risk of getting certain diseases. Some risk factors such as age or family history can't be controlled. But many can be controlled by making changes in the way you live. In this section you can learn more about the different kinds of risk factors that you can and can't control.

• Stroke risk factors you can control
• Stroke risk factors you can't control

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More information on Stroke: Know your risk

Read more from womenshealth.gov

• Stroke Fact Sheet - This fact sheet answers questions about stroke, including information about warning signs, effects, and risk factors.
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/stroke.cfm

Explore other publications and websites

• Brain Basics: Preventing Stroke - This brochure provides information on stroke prevention. It includes stroke warning signs, an explanation of risk factors, and a description of treatable risk factors.
  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/preventing_stroke.htm
• Cardiovascular Disease: Stroke (Copyright © HeartHealthyWomen.org) - This publication explains the two different types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. It also talks about the signs and symptoms of transient ischemic stroke (TIA), or "mini strokes."
  http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/index.php?view=article&id=581
• Don't Wait for It to Happen to You: Reducing Your Risk of Stroke (Copyright © American Heart Association) - This booklet provides information on working with your doctor to reduce your chance of stroke before it is too late. It addresses risk assessment, lifestyle changes you can make, and what to do when you have symptoms of stroke.
  http://www.acponline.org/patients_families/pdfs/health/stroke.pdf
• Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention: Maps - These interactive maps present heart disease and stroke mortality rates at national, state, and county levels and by gender and racial/ethnic group.
  http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/maps/index.htm
• NINDS Stroke Information Page - This online publication discusses the types of stroke, treatment options, and ongoing stroke research.
  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm
• Stroke - This site features frequently asked questions, statistics, and risk factors of stroke. It also lists several prevention programs for those who want to lower their risk.
  http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/
• Stroke Risk Questionnaire (Copyright © Siteman Cancer Center) - The effects of stroke can include permanent disability and even death. This interactive questionnaire can help you estimate your risk of having a stroke.
  http://www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu/hccpquiz.pl?lang=english&func=start&quiz=stroke
• Understanding Risk (Copyright © American Heart Association) - This fact sheet describes the risk factors for stroke. It helps to distinguish which risk factors can be changed and which ones cannot.
  http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/UnderstandingRisk/Understanding-Risk_UCM_308539_SubHomePage.jsp

Connect with other organizations

• American Stroke Association
  http://www.strokeassociation.org
• National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC
  http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/index.htm
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
• National Stroke Association
  http://www.stroke.org/site/PageNavigator/HOME

Content last updated February 01, 2009.

Resources last updated February 01, 2009.

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