Risk Factors for Stroke
| About risk factors: Risk factors for Stroke are factors that do not seem to be a direct cause of the disease, but seem to be associated in some way. Having a risk factor for Stroke makes the chances of getting a condition higher but does not always lead to Stroke. Also, the absence of any risk factors or having a protective factor does not necessarily guard you against getting Stroke. For general information and a list of risk factors, see the risk center. |
Risk factor list: The list of risk factors mentioned for Stroke in various sources includes:
- Age
- Race - more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
- Previous stroke
- Migraine
- Brain aneurysm
- Atherosclerosis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Previous TIA
- Family history of stroke
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cigarette smoking
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Illicit drug use
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Menopause
- Transient Ischemic attack
- Excess weight
Risk factor statistics for Stroke: The following are statistics from various sources about the risk factors for Stroke:
- Risk for stroke amongst diabetics is two to four times higher than those without diabetes in the US (National Diabetes Statistics fact sheet, NIDDK, 2003)
Risk factors discussion: Stroke seems to run in some families. Family members may have a genetic tendency for stroke or share a lifestyle that contributes to stroke. The most important risk factors for stroke are hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and cigarette smoking. Other risks include heavy alcohol consumption, high blood cholesterol levels, illicit drug use, and genetic or congenital conditions. Some risk factors for stroke apply only to women. Primary among these are pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. 1
The risk of stroke is 2 to 4 times higher in people with diabetes. 2
Stroke risks are higher in people who have a family or personal history of stroke and for African Americans. African American women have a higher risk of disability and death from stroke than Caucasian women do. This is partly because more African American women have high blood pressure, a major stroke risk factor. Age is also a factor: the chance of having a stroke more than doubles for each decade of life after age 55. Women who smoke or who have high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes are at greater risk of having a stroke. Hormonal changes with pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are also linked to an increased risk of stroke. 3
A stroke is a single, damaging attack, but the conditions or risk factors that lead to a stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking, heart disease, and diabetes develop over many years.4
Moderate drinking can have beneficial effects on the heart, especially among those at greatest risk for heart attacks, such as men over the age of 45 and women after menopause. But long-term heavy drinking increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some kinds of stroke. 5
Risks factors for Stroke: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to risk factors for Stroke:
- 1.56 hypertension sufferers worldwide predicted by 2025
- Aspirin and Bextra combination may increase heart risk
- Australian Medical Association wants health warnings placed on alcohol products
- Breast cancer drug Femara superior to Tamoxifen
- Calcium intake by pregnant women reduces offspring’s risk of high blood pressure
- Children increasingly face adult diseases
- Concerns over Celebrex use mounting
- Diabetics need to be aware of possible complications
- Diuretics are cheap and the benefits outweigh the risks
- Fairfield County Weekly
- Health Canada warns consumers about various COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs
- High blood pressure may be improved by meditation
- High salt consumption can cause a range of health problems
- Hypertension needs rapid attention
- Kidney stone risk increased by obesity
- Long term effects of obesity surgery examined
- LVH may increase the risk of adverse events in hypertensive patients
- Metabolic syndrome mechanism defined
- Migraine sufferers face increased stroke risk
- Mirtazapine can greatly reduced depression rates in stroke patients
- More women using natural hormones for menopause therapy
- New results on Bextra implicates whole cox-2 inhibitor class of drugs
- New risk factors may be associated with cardiovascular disease risk
- Osteoporosis rates expected to increase with reduced useage of HRT
- Pfizer releases Bextra risks information
- Proximity to old toxic waste storage sites may be linked to increased risk of conditions such as respiratory disease
- Recent studies involving contraceptive pill risks may be flawed
- Review of trials establishes link between HRT and stroke
- Suspension of Aleve comes as a surprise
- UK government gets serious about averting high salt consumption
- Vegetarians have lower rates of hypertension than non-vegetarians
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from NINDS Stroke Information Page: NINDS
2. excerpt from Diabetes Statistics in the United States: NIDDK
3. excerpt from Stroke: NWHIC
4. excerpt from Stroke Prevention and Treatment - Age Page - Health Information: NIA
5. excerpt from Alcohol What You Don't Know Can Harm You: NIAAA
Last revision: June 18, 2003
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