Introduction to stroke risk factors
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of serious long-term disability. One in four people will experience a stroke in their lifetimes1,2.
Up to 87% of stroke risk is linked to modifiable risk factors, meaning that learning about these risk factors and committing to lifestyle changes can be an effective way to protect our brain health and prevent the devastation caused by stroke3,4,5,6.
References
- Feigin VL, Owolabi MO, World Stroke Organization–Lancet Neurology Commission Stroke Collaboration Group. Pragmatic Solutions to Reduce the Global Burden of Stroke: A World Stroke Organization–Lancet Neurology Commission. Lancet Neurol. 2023;22(12):1160–1206. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(23)00277-6
- Feigin VL, Brainin M, Norrving B, Martins S, Sacco RL, Hacke W, et al. World Stroke Organization (WSO): Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2022. Int J Stroke. 2022;17(1):18–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/17474930211065917
- Boehme AK, Esenwa C, Elkind MSV. Stroke Risk Factors, Genetics, and Prevention. Circ Res. 2017;120(3):472–495. https://doi.org/10.1161/circresaha.116.308398
- Govori V, Budincevic H, Morovic S, et al. Updated perspectives on lifestyle interventions as secondary stroke prevention measures: a narrative review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2024;60:504. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60030504
- Martin SS, Aday AW, Allen NB, Almarzooq ZI, Anderson CA, Arora P, Avery CL, Baker-Smith CM, Bansal N, Beaton AZ, Commodore-Mensah Y. 2025 heart disease and stroke statistics: a report of US and global data from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2025 Feb 25;151(8):e41-660. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001303
- Chiuve SE, Rexrode KM, Spiegelman D, Logroscino G, Manson JE, Rimm EB. Primary prevention of stroke by healthy lifestyle. Circulation. 2008;118(9):947–954. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.781062
Stroke risk in stroke patients
Tools to measure stroke risk
Stroke risk
minimisation
STROKE RISKS
Read about risk factors we can change 
LIFESTYLE
ENVIRONMENT
MEDICAL
CONDITIONS
Read about risk factors we cannot change
AGE
BIOLOGICAL
SEX
ETHNICITY
GENETICS
MEDICAL
CONDITIONS