Stopping smoking results in a dramatic decline in risk within a few years of stopping. Seek treatment for heart disease which may involve conditions such as irregular heart rhythms, heart attacks, or heart valve disorders. Improve your diet by avoiding excess fat and sodium and by limiting your alcohol intake. Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Good control of diabetes appears to reduce cardiovascular complications of the disease which can increase your risk for stroke.
Stress can contribute to high blood pressure which in turn can lead to stroke.
Incorporate effective stress management techniques such as relaxation techniques, exercise, and counseling in order to reduce this risk factor. While you have no control over other risk factors such as age, gender, or family history, you can decrease your risk by incorporating the other preventive measures into your lifestyle. While you have no control over risk factors such as age, gender, or family history, there are many steps that you can take to reduce your risk of stroke. Inc. All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag.