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Skip Navigation LinksSSMHealth > Neurosciences > Risk Factors & Symptoms
 

Risk Factors & Symptoms 

 
 

There are many positive steps you can take to lower your risk of stroke. Start by receiving regular medical checkups.

Risk Factors That Can Be Changed:

  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Carotid or other artery disease
  • Transient Ischemic Attacks
  • Atrial fibrillation or other heart disease
  • Some blood disorders
  • High cholesterol level
  • Physical inactivity and obesity
  • Excessive alcohol intake
  • Illegal drug use
  • Use of oral contraceptives
  • Stress

Risk Factors That Can’t Be Changed:

  • Age.  Stroke affects people of all ages, but the risk increases as you get older, especially after age 55. 
  • Gender. In most age groups, more men than women have strokes, but more women die from stroke.
  • Heredity. Family history of stroke increases your risk.
  • Race. African Americans and Hispanic Americans have a higher risk of death and disability from stroke.
  • Prior stroke. If you already have had a stroke, you are at a higher risk of having a repeat attack.

To learn more, talk to your doctor or contact the American Stroke Association at 1-888-478-7653.

What are the symptoms of stroke?

Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death and the No. 1 cause of long-term disability in America, and every minute counts. “Act ‘FAST’” is an easy way to remember the signs of stroke.

F – FACE, ask the person to smile. Is there a droop on one side (an uneven smile)?
A – ARM, ask the person to raise both arms with their eyes closed. Does one arm drift down because of weakness? Is there arm numbness?
S – SPEECH, ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can he/she repeat it? Is speech slurred or difficult to understand?
T – TIME, call 911 and get to a hospital/stroke center immediately. The faster treatment is administered, the better the outcome.

Even though stroke victims usually do not report feeling any pain, stroke is always a very serious condition, and it is important to get to the hospital as soon as possible.

Sudden symptoms also can include:

  • numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • confusion
  • trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • severe headache without a known cause

Transient ischemic attacks

During a transient ischemic attack (TIA), you may experience one or more stroke symptoms for a short period of time, and then feel better. However, TIAs are a strong warning sign for future major strokes, so you should still immediately call 911 and go to the hospital.

At SSM stroke centers, doctors will perform tests to determine the cause of your TIA, and suggest treatment that may help prevent a major stroke in the near future.