Cigarette smoking has emerged in recent years as an important risk factor. Transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, are strong predictors of stroke. A high red blood cell count thickens the blood and makes blot clots more likely. The chance of having a brain attack more than doubles for each decade of life after age 55. Men, overall, have about a 19 percent greater chance of stroke than women.
Race also plays a role.
African Americans have a much higher risk of death and disability from a brain attack, in part because of a greater incidence of high blood pressure. Prior strokes increase risk as well Heredity. The chance of stroke is greater for people with a family history. According to Dr. Powe, new treatments are now available that, if given within three hours of a stroke, may prevent such long-term disabilities as memory loss, paralysis, and cognitive impairments. In addition, the faster you get the problem diagnosed, the sooner you can be monitored for complications.