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Print: What are the risk factors for stroke?
Risk factors for stroke include the following:
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol level
- Smoking
- Previous transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Heart disease
- Carotid artery disease (disease of the artery that carries blood to your brain)
After I have had a stroke, am I more likely to have another one?
Yes. People who have had a stroke are at increased risk of having another stroke, especially during the first year after the first stroke.
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Portions of this article were developed in cooperation with the American Heart Association.
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 01/11
Created: 09/00
