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 First Nations, African, or South Asian ancestry.
• personal history of a stroke or TIA: People who have already suffered a stroke have a 20% chance of having another stroke in the next 2 years.

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.

To find out your risk of having a stroke in the next 10 years, use the stroke risk assessment calculator.