Risk factors

Some risk factors for stroke, like age, cannot obviously be changed. For more information on these, see below. For information on factors that can be changed, such as smoking, see the prevention section.

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As with most diseases of the circulatory system, your chances of having a stroke increase with age. Gender, race, and family history are also important factors.

Age: Two thirds of strokes occur in people over the age of 65. In adults over 55, the lifetime risk for stroke is greater than 1 in 6. The prevalence of most types of stroke increases every five to 10 years for people 55 to 85.

Gender: In most age groups, men are more likely to have strokes than women. However, about 40,000 more women than men have a stroke each year--most likely because women tend to live longer.

Race: African-American males have the highest risk of stroke. African-Americans have almost twice the risk of a first-ever stroke that Caucasians have. Studies also indicate that Mexican-Americans have a greater incidence of stroke than non-Hispanic whites. Death rates from stroke are highest for African-Americans, followed by Caucasians, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and American Indians.

Family history: Your risk of stroke is greater if a parent, sibling, or grandparent has had a stroke.

Personal history: Your risk of stroke is greater if you have already had a stroke.