From the Guidelines
The main risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity, and atrial fibrillation, with high blood pressure being the most significant modifiable risk factor, as it damages blood vessels over time, making them more prone to rupture or blockage 1.
Risk Factors for Stroke
The risk factors for stroke can be classified into three major groups: nonmodifiable risk factors, medically modifiable risk factors, and behaviorally modified risk factors. Nonmodifiable risk factors include age, race, sex, and family history. Medically modifiable risk factors include previous transient ischemic attack (TIA), carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease (CAD), other types of cardiac disease, hypertension, cigarette smoking, hyperlipidemia, hypercoagulability, diabetes mellitus, hormone replacement, inflammatory processes, and sickle cell disease. Behaviorally modified risk factors include physical inactivity, obesity, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, oral contraceptive use, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.
Management of Risk Factors
Managing these risk factors through medication, lifestyle changes, and regular medical check-ups can substantially reduce stroke risk. Blood pressure control is particularly crucial, with a target below 130/80 mmHg for most adults. The use of antihypertensive therapy, statins, and anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation can help manage these risk factors. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce stroke risk.
Importance of Physical Activity
Physical activity is particularly important for the prevention of secondary complications related to recurrent stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Regular physical activity and exercise can help lower blood pressure, improve arterial function, and enhance insulin response. A comprehensive exercise and lifestyle program can yield improvements in total cholesterol, body composition, blood pressure, and behavior change toward nonsmoking.
Key Takeaways
- High blood pressure is the most significant modifiable risk factor for stroke 1.
- Smoking doubles the risk of stroke by damaging blood vessels and promoting clot formation 2.
- Diabetes increases stroke risk by accelerating atherosclerosis and impairing blood vessel function 3.
- Age is a major nonmodifiable risk factor, with risk doubling each decade after age 55 4.
- Atrial fibrillation raises stroke risk five-fold due to clot formation in the heart that can travel to the brain 1.
- Managing risk factors through medication, lifestyle changes, and regular medical check-ups can substantially reduce stroke risk 1, 2, 3, 4.
From the Research
Main Risk Factors for Stroke
The main risk factors for stroke can be categorized into modifiable and nonmodifiable factors. The most important modifiable risk factors include:
- Hypertension 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Diabetes mellitus 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Tobacco smoking 5, 6, 8, 9
- Hyperlipidemia 5, 6, 8
- Lifestyle factors, such as: + Obesity 5, 8 + Poor diet/nutrition 5, 9 + Physical inactivity 5, 8, 9
- Other risk factors, such as: + Atrial fibrillation 6, 9 + Dyslipidemia 6 + Sleep apnea 5, 8 + Electronic cigarettes 5 + Elevated lipoprotein (a) 5
Nonmodifiable Risk Factors
Nonmodifiable risk factors for stroke include: