Some factors that place a person at risk for stroke can be controlled, others cannot. Having an uncontrollable risk factor does not necessarily mean that a person will have a stroke, but it makes it all the more important to do what you can to control your risk through healthy lifestyle management. Age, gender, race, family history of stroke and personal history of diabetes are all risk factors over which we have no control. Two-thirds of all strokes happen to people over 65. African-Americans have almost double the stroke risk of most other racial groups.
Risk is higher for people with a family history of stroke.
People with diabetes have a higher stroke risk, even though elevated blood sugars can be controlled. High Blood Pressure Having high blood pressure increases the risk of stroke four to six times. It is the single-most important controllable stroke risk factor. High blood pressure puts stress on blood vessel walls and can lead to strokes from blood clots or hemorrhage. When blood pressure can't be controlled through lifestyle modification, your doctor may prescribe an antihypertensive medication.