Smoking is the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the United States. If you add untreated or inadequately treated hypertension to smoking, the risk of stroke increases substantially. High cholesterol is linked to higher stroke risk as well, and Fruin says it is now treated aggressively in every age group. The longer a person has a risk factor, the longer it has to cause blood vessel damage. So we work to reduce the level of low density lipids, the dangerous form of cholesterol, in the bloodstream.
Obesity is also controllable, through moderate exercise and dietary changes.
Over-indulging increases your risk of stroke. After talking with your doctor, start an exercise program if you are not already active. Then increase it gradually, until you're exercising 30 minutes a day three or four times a week. Know the warning signs of stroke, so you can react quickly if there is a problem. Quick treatment is vital to recovery.