Risk factors for Stroke

 

Anyone can have a stroke at any age. Because some risk factors increase the likelihood of stroke, the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from stroke is to know these risk factors and understand how to manage them.

You may not be able to control some of the risk factors for stroke, such as age or family history, but you can reduce your risk of stroke by controlling other risk factors. Stroke can occur in both men and women. Some factors that we cannot control, such as age, gender, race or ethnicity, can increase the risk of stroke: Age is the most important risk factor for stroke. The risk of stroke increases as you get older. Over the age of 55, the risk of stroke doubles every 10 years. However, the risk of stroke is quite high under the age of 65. Gender, stroke is more common in men than women in most age groups. However, the probability of death from stroke is higher in women than in men. Pregnancy and use of birth control pills can increase the risk of stroke in women. Race or ethnicity, the risk of stroke is nearly twice as high for blacks as for whites, and blacks have a higher stroke death rate than whites.

Many diseases can increase the risk of stroke. For risk control, be sure to consult your doctor and have regular check-ups at centers where you can have check-ups suitable for your family history, age, gender and risk factors.

previous stroke or transient ischemic attack; If you have a known previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, you have a higher risk of having another stroke.

Hypertension; High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, and lowering blood pressure with medications or lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of stroke.

High Cholesterol; Cholesterol is made by the liver, or a waxy, fat-like substance found in certain foods, which our liver makes enough for the body's needs, but we usually get more cholesterol than we need from the foods we eat. If we take in more cholesterol than our body can use, the extra cholesterol can build up in the arteries, including in the brain. This accumulation can lead to narrowing of the vessels, stroke and other problems.

Heart disease; Many heart diseases can increase the risk of stroke. Coronary artery disease forms plaques in the arteries, reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain and increasing the risk of stroke. Heart valve defects, irregular heartbeats such as atrial fibrillation, and other heart conditions such as enlarged heart chambers can cause embolism and stroke.

Diabetes; Since diabetes also increases the risk of stroke, managing diabetes correctly reduces the risk.

Sickle Cell Disease; It is a blood disease associated with ischemic stroke, in which red blood cells are in an abnormal sickle shape. These sickle-shaped cells can attach to a blood vessel, blocking blood flow to the brain, leading to paralysis.

Lifestyle and Habits; Your lifestyle choices can affect your risk of stroke. To reduce the risk, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes. Your healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of stroke.

Unhealthy Diet; Diets high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Too much salt (sodium) in the diet can increase blood pressure levels and increase the risk of stroke.

Physical Inactivity; Inadequate physical activity along with other risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes increases the risk of stroke. You can reduce your risk of stroke with regular physical activity.

Obesity; In obesity, there is excess fat in the body, “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels are high and “good” cholesterol levels are low. In addition to heart disease, it leads to high blood pressure and diabetes, increasing the risk of stroke.

Excessive use of alcohol; can increase blood pressure levels and the risk of stroke. It also hardens the arteries, increases triglycerides and blood fats.

Tobacco use; It increases the risk of stroke and can damage the heart and blood vessels. Also, nicotine raises blood pressure, reducing the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. Exposure to secondhand smoke from other people (passive smoking) can increase the risk of stroke, even in non-smokers.

Modifiable risk factors for stroke;

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Diabetes
• Hyperlipidemia (high fat, especially bad cholesterol called LDL-cholesterol)
• Atrial fibrillation (a kind of rhythm disorder in the heart)
• Heart diseases
• Smoking
• Alcohol use
• Obesity
• physical inactivity
• Nutrition habits
• Neck vascular occlusions that have not yet given symptoms (asymptomatic carotid stenosis)        

Non Modifiable risk factors for stroke;

• Age
• Gender
• Race
• family history
• History of previous stroke and transient ischemic attack