Other risk factors are things you can do something about, like a previous brain attack, previous signs of a brain attack or TIAs, high blood pressure, heart disease and carotid artery disease. If you have any of these risk factors for brain attack, talk to your doctor about what you should do. You might take medicines, follow a special diet, exercise, have surgery or a combination of all of these. Your lifestyle habits can also increase your chances of having a brain attack. One important lifestyle risk factor is smoking.
Smoking damages the blood vessel walls, speeds hardening of the arteries and raises blood pressure.
The good news is that if you quit smoking today, within five years your risk factor for a brain attack would be the same as someone who never smoked. High cholesterol levels, obesity, lack of exercise and excessive alcohol use are also risk factors for brain attack. You can talk to your doctor about a diet and exercise program that is right for you. To get more information about brain attacks, contact the National Stroke Association and the American Heart Association. They can send you information about brain attacks.