Knowing your risk is the key to prevention. By having regular medical checkups, you can learn about your risk factors. Some risk factors you can change or treat, and others you can't. By knowing your risk, you can focus on the factors you can change and lower your risk of stroke.

What stroke risk factors can I change or treat?

• A Healthy Diet: Maintaining a diet that is low in calories, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol helps manage both obesity and health cholesterol levels in the blood, which also reduces risk for stroke. High-salt diets often contribute to high blood pressure, so be sure to reduce and monitor your sodium intake. A healthy diet should also include:
  • At least five servings of fruits and vegetables Lean meats such as chicken, turkey and fish
  • Lean cuts of beef (round or sirloin steak) or pork (pork chops, pork loin)
  • Low-fat dairy products (skim milk, 2% fat cottage cheese)
  • Egg substitutes
  • Fiber, including whole grain breads, cereal products or dried beans
• High Blood Pressure: This is the single most important risk factor for stroke. It is extremely important that you follow up with your doctor to control your blood pressure. Always talk to your doctor before stopping any medications. Foods low in salt, lower your risk of high blood pressure and may help you control it. It is very important to follow up with your doctor for proper control and management. 
• High Blood Cholesterol: High blood cholesterol increases the risk of clogged arteries. A stroke results when an artery to the brain becomes clogged. Exercise and a low fat diet can help decrease your cholesterol level. Your doctor may need to give you cholesterol lowering medications
• Smoking: Smoking doubles the risk of stroke. You can find a program to help quit smoking by calling 1-800-Quit Now (1-800-784-8669) or by calling MetroHealth Heart & Vascular Center at 216-778-1221.  Also, talk to your doctor about products to help you quit.
• Diabetes Mellitus: While diabetes is treatable, having it increases your risk of stroke. Work with your doctor to manage diabetes by taking your medications are directed, monitoring your blood sugar, developing healthy eating habits and exercise.
• Atrial Fibrillation (AF): AF is an irregular heartbeat that changes how your heart works and can cause blood to pool in parts of your heart. This pooled blood can form clots and cause a stroke. Many patients are placed on Coumadin (Warfarin) or other types of blood thinner to prevent clots. It is important to follow up with your doctor if you have AF or are being treating with Blood thinners for proper monitoring.
• Carotid or Other Artery Disease: The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. A carotid artery damaged by a fatty buildup of plaque inside the artery wall may become blocked by a blood clot, causing a stroke. Discuss with your doctor ways to decrease your risk factors.
• Lifestyle Management: Obesity, inactivity, excessive alcohol intake and illegal drug use (especially cocaine/crack) can increase your risk of stroke. Weight management, establishing an exercise program, moderation in alcohol consumption, and stopping illegal drug use will decrease your stroke risk. Discuss with your doctor ways to decrease your risk factors.

Call MetroHealth today to make an appointment with a primary care physician to manage your modifiable risk factors for stroke: 216-778-7800.

What are the risk factors I can't control?

• Increasing Age: Although stroke affects people of all ages, your stroke risk is greater the older you are.
• Gender: In most age groups, more men than women have stroke, but more women die from stroke.
• Heredity and Race: People whose close blood relations have had a stroke have a higher risk of stroke themselves. African Americans have a higher risk of death and disability from stroke than whites, because they have high blood pressure more often. Hispanic people are also at higher risk of stroke.
• Prior Stroke: Someone who has had a stroke is at higher risk of having another one.

How can I learn more?

• Talk to your doctor, nurse or other health care professional and ask about other stroke topics.
• Attend a MetroHealth Stroke Support Group meeting.
• For more information on stroke, visit the following websites:
  • American Stroke Association
  • National Stroke Association
  • The National Institutes of Health National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke