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Primary Stroke Center
How Can I Avoid Stroke?

The good news is that stroke is preventable. You can reduce your risk of stroke by changing risk factors which you can influence. Listed below are risk factors which you can and cannot influence.

Risk Factors You Can Control:

  • High blood pressure
    • How to control: Control high blood pressure with medication, diet and exercise
  • High cholesterol
    • How to control: Eat a low cholesterol diet and take medication as prescribed by MD
  • Smoking
    • How to control: If you smoke-quit, if you don't smoke-don't start
  • Drinking more than two alcoholic beverages per day
  • Abusing drugs
  • Obesity
  • Inactivity
    • How to control: 20 minutes of activity 3 days a week

Risk Factors You Cannot Control:

  • Age 65 or older
  • Male
  • African American
  • A previous mini stroke (TIA)
  • A family history of stroke
  • History of diabetes
  • A family history of heart disorder

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