Know your stroke risk factors and start addressing them to lower your chances now. When determining one’s risk for stroke, there are many factors that physicians will consider. There are two kinds of stroke, both equally serious. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot blocking the flow of blood in the brain. And a hemorrhagic stroke results from a break or bleed in a blood vessel in the brain. Some risk factors are pre-determined with the patient not able to do anything about them, such as gender, race or family history. But there are other risk factors that patients can take action on now to immediately help lower their risk of experiencing a potentially life-threatening stroke. High blood pressure High blood pressure is the riskiest of risk factors when it comes to a stroke. High blood pressure, in addition to damaging blood vessels throughout the body, can create conditions that can burst blood vessels or cause them to clog more easily. Heart disease Heart disease can damage critical heart structures and functions, which can result in the creation of blood clots. Diabetes While diabetes affects the body’s ability to metabolize sugar, the condition can also lead to changes of the body’s blood vessels, which includes the brain’s blood vessels. Smoking Smoking, particularly cigarette smoking, leads to a build up of fatty substances in the arteries of the neck, significantly increasing the likelihood of a piece of this build up breaking off and heading to the brain. Cholesterol An excessive level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is a fatty substance, can cause fatty substances to build up in the blood vessels, resulting in a narrowing of the arteries. Obesity/Physical inactivity Both obesity and being physically inactive naturally leads to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. What’s your risk? Visit the American Stroke Association to determine your risk for stroke. Click here Lower your risk today Make an appointment with a McLaren primary care physician to start addressing and lowering your stroke risk factors today. Click here