If these lifestyle changes are not enough to control your blood pressure, you may need to take medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Stress Stress is often associated with high blood pressure. Learn to relax and manage stress and stressful conditions effectively. You may wish to attend a stress management class. Having diabetes doubles your risk of stroke.
Uncontrolled diabetes can accelerate atherosclerosis, causing an increased risk of stroke.
Diabetes controlled with diet, exercise, weight control and prescribed medication reduces this risk. With these conditions, the heart does not pump blood as efficiently as usual, which may cause blood to form clots. A clot also may form on a defective valve. Elevated cholesterol High levels of cholesterol in your blood may increase your risk of stroke by increasing atherosclerosis. A total cholesterol level of more than 200 is considered high.