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Stroke Prevention


In order to prevent another stroke, the cause of your stroke needs to be identified and treated.

For example, the cause of an Ischemic stroke could be a problem with the blood vessels in the neck (carotid arteries), a problem with the blood itself or a problem with the heart.

Risk factors for stroke also need to be identified and treated. There are two types of risk factors: those that you can control and those that you cannot control.

 

Risk Factors You Can Control

Some of the risk factors you can change include:

  • High blood pressure (This is the most important modifiable risk factor.)
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • High blood lipids (fats)
  • Heart disease
  • Inactivity
  • Excessive alcohol consumption

 

Risk Factors You Can't Control

Some of the uncontrollable risk factors include:

  • Age – over 65
  • Gender – men have a higher risk
  • Ethnicity – Canadians of First Nations/Aboriginal Peoples, African, Hispanic, South Asian and Black descent are at higher risk
  • Family History – if you have a parent or sibling who had a stroke before the age of 65
  • Prior Stroke or TIA – if you have had a stroke or mini-stroke in the past five years.