Atrial fibrillation, where the upper left chamber of the heart beats erratically, leads to pooling of blood in the heart and clot formation and results in an increased risk of embolic stroke. Heart valve disease is also associated with embolic strokes. Lifestyle risk factors can be reduced or eliminated to decrease the chance of stroke. Smoking doubles stroke risk by damaging and increasing deposits on blood vessel walls and by raising blood pressure. Excessive body weight strains the circulatory system and increases the likelihood of other risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Surgery is also an option to reduce risk of stroke.
Carotid endarterectomy has been shown in major studies to be effective. This surgery removes hardened fatty deposits from the artery walls, a condition called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Carotid artery disease can be detected by primary care physicians.