1. Understanding Stroke Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Stroke Quiz
3. Atrial Fibrillation Slideshow: Causes, Tests and Treatment

In this Article

• Introduction
• What is a Stroke?
• What are Warning Signs of a Stroke?
• What are Risk Factors for a Stroke?
• What Are the Treatable Risk Factors?
• Do You Know Your Stroke Risk?
• Stroke Prevention Index

Some of the most important risk factors for stroke can be determined during a physical exam at your doctor's office. If you are over 55 years old, the worksheet below can help you estimate your risk of stroke and show the benefit of risk-factor control.

The worksheet was developed from NINDS-supported work in the well-known Framingham Study. Working with your doctor, you can develop a strategy to lower your risk to average or even below average for your age.

Key:

• SBP = systolic blood pressure (score one line only, untreated or treated);
  
  
• Diabetes = history of diabetes;
  
  
• Cigarettes = smokes cigarettes;
  
  
• CVD (cardiovascular disease) = history of heart disease;
  
  
• AF = history of atrial fibrillation;
  
  
• LVH = diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy

Key:

• SBP = systolic blood pressure (score one line only, untreated or treated);
  
  
• Diabetes = history of diabetes;
  
  
• Cigarettes = smokes cigarettes;
  
  
• CVD (cardiovascular disease) = history of heart disease;
  
  
• AF = history of atrial fibrillation;
  
  
• LVH = diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy

Source: D'Agostino, R.B.; Wolf, P.A.; Belanger, A.J.; & Kannel, W.B. "Stroke Risk Profile: The Framingham Study." Stroke, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 40-43, January 1994.

Many risk factors for stroke can be managed, some very successfully. Although risk is never zero at any age, by starting early and controlling your risk factors you can lower your risk of death or disability from stroke. With good control, the risk of stroke in most age groups can be kept below that for accidental injury or death.

Americans have shown that stroke is preventable and treatable. In recent years, a better understanding of the causes of stroke has helped Americans make lifestyle changes that have cut the stroke death rate nearly in half.

Scientists at the NINDS predict that, with continued attention to reducing the risks of stroke and by using currently available therapies and developing new ones, Americans should be able to prevent 80 percent of all strokes.

SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; "Brain Basics: Preventing Stroke," April 09, 2009