Strokes are not classically hereditary, but they tend to run in families. Diabetes substantially increases risk of atherosclerosis, and therefore, stroke. Carotid bruit . Your carotid artery is the one in your neck that carries blood up to your brain. Carotid bruit is a sign of atherosclerosis.
Hypertension is the leading controllable risk factor for stroke.
The higher your pressure, the greater your risk. Since the 1970's the death rate from stroke has fallen considerably. The main reason has been a national public health program to identify people with high blood pressure and get their pressure down. Heart disease . Heart disease doubles your risk of stroke.