June 2022 – Stroke
How likely am I to have a stroke?
You may be wondering “Am I at risk for a stroke?” Find out by learning about stroke risk factors (things that increase your stroke risk).
Stroke risk factors you can’t control
Some stroke risk factors cannot be controlled:
- age: Strokes can happen at any age but are more common after 65.
- gender: Men have a higher risk of stroke, while women’s stroke risk goes up after menopause.
- family history: Your stroke risk is higher if a close family member such as a parent, sibling, or child has had a stroke before age 65.
- ethnic background: Strokes are more common in people of Indigenous, African, or South Asian ancestry.
- personal history of a stroke or TIA: People who have already suffered a stroke in the past are at a much higher risk of having another stroke.
If you have some of these risk factors, don’t be discouraged! Now that you know you are at risk, focus on the risk factors you can control.
Talk to your doctor to find out if you’re at risk for a stroke, and what you can do to reduce your risk.
Stroke risk factors you can control
There are many stroke risk factors that you can control:
Lifestyle factors:
- being overweight
- eating an unhealthy diet (low in fruits and vegetables and high in fat and sodium)
- not getting enough exercise (this applies only to people whose doctor has given them approval to exercise. For these people, current guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity spread out over each week. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program or becoming more physically active)
- smoking
- drinking too much alcohol (more than 2 drinks per day or 10 drinks per week for women or more than 3 drinks per day or 15 drinks per week for men)
- stress
Making a few simple lifestyle changes can help you reduce your stroke risk.
Medical conditions:
- atrial fibrillation: causes an abnormal heartbeat, which makes blood pool and clot in the heart. These clots can move to the brain and cause a stroke.
- diabetes: increases the risk of high blood pressure and damages the blood vessels, both of which can cause a stroke.
- high blood pressure: damages blood vessels so they are more likely to clog up or burst, leading to a stroke.
- high cholesterol: causes fatty deposits to build up in your blood vessels, which could block blood vessels in the brain and cause a stroke.
Getting these medical conditions under control can go a long way toward reducing the risk of a stroke.
Some people may have other risk factors for stroke. Talk to your doctor to find out if you’re at risk of a stroke, and what you can do to reduce your risk.
Ask Your Pharmacist
Question: My friend takes daily low-dose ASA to prevent stroke. Should I be doing this too?
Answer: Taking ASA (or Aspirin) every day may lower the risk of stroke, but it’s not for everyone. The answer depends on your age, overall health, history of heart disease, and your risk of having a future heart attack or stroke. ASA can be a lifesaving option but, like any medication, ASA has its possible risks and side effects, such as allergic reaction or bleeding. ASA can lower your chance of a clot-related stoke, but raise your chance of a bleeding stroke. Make sure you talk to your doctor about your best options for preventing stroke, before taking daily ASA or any other medication.
Health Tip
If you are told by your doctor to take medication to prevent stroke (such as ASA, blood thinners, blood pressure or cholesterol reducers), you can make sure your medications work their best by taking them regularly and at the right times. Some medications can be taken once daily, while others may need more frequent dosing. If you miss a dose of your medication, your protection may go down and your risk of stroke may go up. Get the most out of the medication you take – if you need help organizing your medication times, or if you have questions about how and when to take your medication, your Pharmasave pharmacist will be happy to assist you.
