HEART-SENSE

Risk Factors for Stroke

Heart related conditions that increase your risk of stroke are

coronary artery disease
high blood pressure
heart abnormalities
abnormal heart rhythm

Additionally, other medical conditions including

lung disease
diabetes
obesity
lupus
rheumatoid arthritis
sleep apnea
sickle cell disease
kidney disease
brain aneurysms

There are also lifestyle factors that can increase your risk for stroke. They include

smoking
lack of exercise
eating foods high in fat
cholesterol
sodium intake
anxiety and stress levels

Additionally, being older than 65 increases your risk.

It is important to reduce your risk factors by managing your medications and treatments and making lifestyle changes. Making these changes could save your life.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes are key for prevention!

Lifestyle changes to reduce risk factors are key to reducing your risk of stroke.

Quit Smoking

Smoking causes damage to the lungs and heart. It is important to stop smoking to reduce your risk of stroke.

Cdc's information to quit smoking

Healthy Diet

It is important to maintain a heart healthy diet. This can help with weight reduction and lower cholesterol levels.

Exercise

Exercising regularly can reduce your risk for stroke and other complications. It is important to start slowly with walks, biking and strength training. Make sure to warm up before your workout!

HEART-SENSE

Stroke Prevention

Additional Symptoms

Sudden difficulty walking.

Sudden, unexplained severe headache.

Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body.

Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking and/or understanding others.

Sudden loss of visual field or difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.