Exercise can help control cholesterol levels, diabetes and obesity as well as lowering blood pressure. Many of the same risk factors for heart disease apply to stroke prevention. High Blood Pressure is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. It is thought that the effective treatment of blood pressure is a major reason for the accelerated decline in death rates for strokes. Heart Disease is the second biggest risk factor associated with stroke.
Heart attacks are also a major cause of death among stroke survivors.
Smoking is a major risk factor for strokes. Nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke cause significant damage to the cardiovascular system. The use of oral contraceptives in combination with cigarette smoking greatly increase the risk of stroke. A person who has suffered one or more TIA is nearly 10 times more likely to suffer a stroke than someone of the same age and gender who hasn't. A high red blood cell count is a predictor of future strokes.