- AHA Home
- AHA Resources
- Donate
The risk factors for stroke are mostly the same as those for heart disease. Below are additional stroke risk factors:
Carotid or Other Artery Disease
Atrial Fibrillation
Other Heart Diseases
Transient Ischemic Attacks
Certain Blood Disorders
Carotid or Other Artery Disease
The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. A carotid artery narrowed by fatty deposits (plaque) from atherosclerosis may become blocked by a blood clot. Surgery called carotid endarterectomy may be done to remove the plaque buildup.
Peripheral artery disease is the narrowing of blood vessels carrying blood to leg and arm muscles. People with this problem have a higher risk of carotid artery disease, which raises their risk of stroke.
Atrial Fibrillation
This heart rhythm disorder raises the risk for stroke. The heart's upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively, which lets the blood pool and clot. If a clot breaks off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain, a stroke results. Atrial fibrillation can be treated with drugs such as aspirin or warfarin to keep clots from forming.
Other Heart Diseases
People with coronary heart disease or heart failure have more than twice the stroke risk as people with hearts that work normally. Dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), heart valve disease and some types of congenital heart defects also increase stroke risk.
Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs or "Mini-Strokes")
TIAs are "mini-strokes" that produce stroke-like symptoms but no permanent damage. For example, you might feel your arm and leg on one side go numb for several hours, then recover. Or you may suddenly have trouble seeing, feel dizzy and lose your balance, then feel fine.
It's very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. If you or someone with you has symptoms, even if they go away, call 9-1-1 to get medical help immediately. People with TIAs are usually treated with drugs to keep blood clots from forming.
Certain Blood Disorders
A high red blood cell count thickens the blood and makes clots more likely. This raises the risk of stroke. Your healthcare provider can detect the problem with a routine blood test. It's treated by removing blood cells or prescribing "blood thinners."
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder that mainly affects African Americans. Red blood cells are normally round, but in this disorder they become shaped like sickles. "Sickled" red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body's tissues and organs. They also tend to get stuck or "clump" in small blood vessels. This can block arteries to the brain and cause a stroke.
Risk Factors You Can Control Or Treat
Risk Factors You Can't Control
Other Factors That Can Affect Your Risk
Warning Signs
