Am I at risk for stroke? Anyone can have a stroke. But studies show that you are more likely to have a stroke if you have these risk factors: High blood pressure Cholesterol problems (high LDL or triglycerides, or low HDL) Diabetes Smoking Atrial fibrillation or other heart disease Atherosclerosis (fatty buildup in your arteries) Obesity Physical inactivity Drug or alcohol abuse Use of birth control pills (greater risk if you're over age 35 or if you smoke) Ethnicity (African Americans and Hispanics have a higher risk) Family or medical history of stroke or TIA (you or someone in your family has had a stroke or TIA in the past) Age (the older you are, the higher your risk) What can I do to prevent a stroke? To help prevent a stroke, lower your risk factors. Look at the list on the left-hand side of this page. Do any of these risk factors apply to you? Which ones? Some risk factors, like your age or family history, are beyond your control. But others can be controlled or even eliminated. To help prevent a stroke — and to improve your health in other ways — do the following: See your doctor regularly. Keep all follow-up appointments, and make a visit at least once a year. Your doctor can check for "silent" risk factors like high blood pressure and help you manage any chronic illness such as diabetes. If you need to quit smoking, drugs, or alcohol, your doctor can also help. Stop smoking. Quitting now will dramatically improve your health today and in the future. It will lower your chance of stroke as well as many other serious medical conditions. For help quitting, talk to your doctor. Or, call this free, confidential phone line 1-888-567-TRUTH (1-888-567-8788). The Spanish language line is 1-877-629-1585. Take your medication. If your doctor has prescribed medication for you, take it exactly as prescribed. Your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes medications are especially important. Maintain a healthy weight. This will help you control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes — and lower your chance of heart disease and stroke. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about how to lose weight safely, slowly, and permanently. Be physically active every day. Physical activity protects your heart, brain, and bones. It makes you stronger, gives you more energy, and helps you cope with daily stress. So aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days — and look for ways to be more active all day long. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park in the farthest corner of the parking lot. Walk the dog. Get moving and enjoy life! © 2011 Intermountain Healthcare. All rights reserved. The content presented here is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and it should not be used to diagnose of treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions of concerns. More health information is availableatintermountainhealthcare.org. Patient and Provider Publications 801.442.2963 FS149-12/11 Also available in Spanish. 36