Controlling your blood pressure directly reduces your chance of a stroke. Diabetes often occurs in conjunction with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and weight gain. This also increases your risk of stroke. High cholesterol level may cause fatty build up of plaque along the artery wall. The plaque buildup is also called atherosclerosis.
Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor contributing to stroke.
Nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damages the cardiovascular system. Heart disease doubles your risk of stroke. Listen to an irregular heartbeat Heredity, race, and family history of stroke increasess your risk. For example, since African Americans have a higher incidence of high blood pressure, they also have an increased risk of stroke. Increasing age increases your risk of stroke.