Top 3 Risk Factors for Strokes

3 Most Important Stroke Risk Factors

There are many risk factors for strokes, and some of them may surprise you. If you or someone you know has suffered from a stroke, it's important to be aware of the risks. While some risk factors, like family history, are out of our control, there are many things we can do to reduce our risk of stroke.

The three most important risk factors for stroke are:

1. High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke. If you have high blood pressure, it means that your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. This puts increased strain on your arteries and can cause them to become damaged or blocked.

2. Smoking

Smoking is the second most important risk factor for stroke. Smoking damages your arteries and makes it more likely that they will become blocked. It also increases your heart rate and blood pressure, which puts you at greater risk of stroke.

3. Diabetes

Diabetes is the third most important risk factor for stroke. If you have diabetes, your body doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't use it properly. This can lead to high blood sugar levels, which damage your arteries and increase your risk of stroke.

Stroke Prevention

By understanding the risks and taking steps to reduce them, you can help protect yourself from a stroke. If you have any of these risk factors, it's important to talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk. You may need to take medication to control your blood pressure or diabetes. Quitting smoking is also vital for reducing your stroke risk.

Making lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, can also help reduce your stroke risk. If you have any of the risk factors for stroke, it's important to make these changes as soon as possible. Additionally, men and women experience different symptoms when having a stroke. The key to preventing long-term damage during a stroke is to act quickly, so remembering these steps can have a significant impact as well.

Read More:

Understanding Different Types of Strokes

Acute Stroke Care in Lancaster, CA

At Antelope Valley Medical Center, we understand that patients suffering from a stroke require a quick response and accurate diagnosis in the short window following an attack. Our stroke response team has a proven track record for demonstrating extraordinary efficiency and expertise in stroke care.

With Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission and the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency, AVMC is committed to providing timely care to quickly treat acute stroke victims.

Call (661) 949-5000 or visit our dedicated stroke care page for more information.