People with diabetes often also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight, increasing their stroke risk even more. If you have diabetes, work closely with you doctor to manage it. Heart disease . People with heart disease have a higher risk for stroke. Atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular heartbeat, is a significant risk factor for stroke.
Heart attack is the major cause of death among stroke survivors.
Carotid artery disease . The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. Many people don't realize that stroke is usually predictable and often preventable. Here are the risk factors you can modify by the personal choices you make each day. Tobacco use .