A stroke happens when the brain doesn’t receive the blood or oxygen it needs to function properly. A stroke is a medical emergency and the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.

You can protect yourself from this life-threatening health crisis with two important steps. First, understand your risk for stroke. Second, know what to do when the signs of stroke appear.

Identify Your Risks for Stroke

There are some risk factors you can’t change. The American Stroke Association,  cites these:

• Prior stroke and heart attack: If you’ve already had a stroke, your risk is greater than it is for a person who has never had one. If you’ve had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — often called a mini stroke — your risk is nearly 10 times greater. A history of heart attack also raises your risk.
• Age: The chance of having a stroke doubles for each decade of life after age 55.
• Race: African-Americans have a much higher risk of a stroke.
• Heredity and family history: If someone in your family has had a stroke, your risk may be greater.
• Sex: Women have a greater risk of having a stroke and of dying from a stroke than men.

There are risk factors you can control:

• Alcohol: Heavy drinking boosts the chance of stroke.
• Smoking and second-hand smoke: Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke raise blood pressure and can lead to blood clots. 
• Illegal drugs: Cocaine, methamphetamines and other drug use raises your risk.
• Weight: Excess body weight contributes to many health risk, including stroke.
• Blood pressure: The risk of stroke begins to grow when blood pressure is higher than 120/80.
• Heart health: Cardiovascular disease increases stroke risk.
• Hormones: Some birth control pills and hormone therapies that include estrogen can increase your stroke risk.
• Blood sugar: People with diabetes have a higher chance of stroke.
• Cholesterol: High cholesterol points to a higher stroke risk.
• Diet: Diets high in sodium, saturated fats and trans fats can increase your risk of stroke.
• Physical fitness: An inactive lifestyle can lead to strokes.
• Sleep apnea: This sleep disorder can up your risk for stroke.

How to Reduce Risk

If you’re concerned that you might have risk factors for stroke, now is a great time to get your body moving. One immediate action that can help lower your risk for stroke is exercise.

Physical activity can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. It also helps lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Adults should aim for 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity (think brisk walking) each week.

Before making any big changes to your diet or exercise routine, talk with your doctor. He or she will have more information to help you control your risk for a stroke.

It’s Important to Act FAST

Remember to call 911 right away. Stroke is an emergency, that requires immediate medical attention. The National Stroke Association has come up with an acronym to help you know if someone is having a stroke. Look for these tell-tale symptoms:

F (Face): Ask the person smile? Does one side of their face droop?

A (Arms): Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift down?

S (Speech): Ask the person to speak. Is their speech slurred or hard to understand?

T (Time): Call 911 right away if you see any one these signs of stroke.

 Sources: Stroke Risk Factors,  American Stroke Association; Preventing Stroke,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Warning Signs of Stroke, Northwestern Medicine

Originally published 5/25/2015; Revised 2022, 2024