Although you can't control them, knowing you're at risk can motivate you to change your lifestyle to reduce other risks. Generally, your risk of stroke increases as you get older. Your risk doubles each decade past age 35. If you're a man, your risk is higher than a woman's until age 55. After age 55, when estrogen levels fall, a woman's risk equals a man's.
Blacks are more likely to have strokes than other ethnic groups.
The increase is partly because of their greater risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. Stopping smoking reduces your risk. Ten years after quitting, your risk is the same as that of a nonsmoker. Limit cholesterol and fat. Cutting back on foods high in cholesterol and fat, especially saturated fat and trans fats, may reduce buildup of plaques in your arteries.