Stroke: Know Your Risk

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• Factors You Can Control
• Factors You Can’t Control

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.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   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

2.   Stroke — This site features frequently asked questions, statistics, and risk factors. It also lists several prevention programs for those who want to lower their risk.

   http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/

3. Stroke Effects (Copyright © AHA) — This publication provides information on how a stroke can affect your emotions, awareness, perception, hearing, speech, and the ability to think clearly.

   http://216.185.112.5/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4761

4. 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...

5. Women, Heart Disease and Stroke (Copyright © AHA) — Heart disease is not just a man’s disease. Women are at risk too. This publication discusses risk factors for heart disease, and explains the difference between risks you can and can’t control. The factors you can control — like lifestyle changes, can help protect you from those you can’t.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4786

Organizations

1.   National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC, OPHS, HHS
2.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
3. American Stroke Association
4. National Stroke Association

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated: February 1, 2009