Have These Conditions? You Might Have a Stroke

These Five Health Conditions Increase Your Risk of Having a Stroke

A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of your brain is blocked or reduced, causing brain cells to die. This serious medical emergency can happen suddenly and without warning, but it is often linked to underlying health conditions that increase your chances of having a stroke. Understanding these conditions and managing them properly can significantly lower your stroke risk.

Here are some common health conditions that may raise your stroke risk, as well as what you can do to lower your risk:

• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) – High blood pressure means the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too strong. Over time, this added pressure can damage arteries, making them stiff or weak. This damage increases the risk of clots forming or vessels bursting, either of which can lead to a stroke. Since high blood pressure often has no symptoms, regular monitoring is essential for early detection and control.
• Diabetes – Diabetes affects how your body processes sugar, leading to high blood sugar levels. Over time, excess sugar damages blood vessels and nerves, making them more prone to blockages. Additionally, diabetes increases the likelihood of developing high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both of which raise stroke risk. Proper blood sugar management through diet, exercise and medication is crucial for reducing this risk.
• High Cholesterol – Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body needs in small amounts, but too much of it—especially LDL ("bad") cholesterol—can build up in your arteries. These fatty deposits can narrow or block blood vessels, preventing normal blood flow to the brain. When a blockage occurs, it can cause an ischemic stroke, the most common type. Keeping cholesterol levels in check with a healthy diet, exercise and medication when necessary helps prevent this.
• Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) – AFib is an irregular heartbeat that causes blood to pool in the heart instead of flowing smoothly. When blood sits still for too long, clots can form. If a clot breaks free and travels to the brain, it can block blood flow, causing a stroke. People with AFib have a significantly higher risk of stroke, making it crucial to manage this condition with medication and lifestyle changes.
• Obesity – Carrying excess weight puts extra stress on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Each of these conditions independently raises the likelihood of stroke, and when combined, the risk becomes even greater. Losing weight through healthy eating, regular physical activity and medication if needed can improve overall cardiovascular health and lower stroke risk.

How to Lower Your Stroke Risk

Identifying and managing these health conditions is key to preventing a stroke. Regular check-ups, proper medication use and healthy lifestyle habits like eating a balanced diet, staying active, limiting alcohol intake, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can all help lower your risk. Making small but consistent changes can have a big impact on your long-term health and is one of the best ways to lower your stroke risk.

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Date Last Reviewed: March 17, 2025

Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor

Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD

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