As people age, they are more at risk of having a stroke. What are some of the risk factors, and how can you help prevent a stroke?

Some of the risk factors for stroke are:

• age over 70,
• high blood pressure,
• heart disease,
• smoking,
• diabetes,
• blockage in the arteries leading to the brain,
• family history of stroke,
• male, and
• obesity.

Nothing can be done to reduce some of these factors, like age or family history. Men are three times as likely as women to have a stroke, which means men over 70 really need to be careful.

To reduce your risk of stroke, it is recommended that you:

• stop smoking,
• control your blood pressure or diabetes,
• take medication if you have ever had a transient ischemic attack (TIA),
• use alcohol in moderation, if at all,
• exercise regularly,
• consider vascular surgery if your doctor recommends it, and
• control your weight and cholesterol levels.

If you suspect that someone has had a stroke, get immediate emergency medical treatment. Often someone can seem "fine" a few minutes after a stroke, but further damage is being done to the body every minute. Call 911 or your local emergency service immediately if you have any reason to suspect even a small stroke. Immediate treatment can make a huge difference.

For more information on prevention and treatment of strokes, contact the American Heart Association at (800) 242-8721.

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