Heart and Stroke Facts . Abundant data have linked age, gender, and race with an increased risk of stroke. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No.
Diabetes can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, especially hypertension.
Tight control of diabetes may reduce the risk. A carotid bruit indicates atheroscelerosis, but its presence does not necessarily mean that the carotid artery will become obstructed and result in stroke. The reasons for this geographical variation are unclear. Information about how unmodifiable factors influence risk of stroke is important for individuals, public health policy, and etiologic research. Similarly, public awareness programs, aimed at increasing the recognition of stroke warning signs and altering modifiable risk factors, can be especially targeted to high-risk groups.