When to see your doctor about stroke risk

It may be time to talk to your doctor about stroke risk if:

• you have atrial fibrillation
• you have heart palpitations (an irregular and rapid heartbeat, typically experienced as a rapid thumping in the chest)
• you have diabetes
• you're over 40 and you haven't had a blood sugar test to check for diabetes in the last 3 years
• you have high blood pressure
• you haven't had your blood pressure checked in the last year
• you have high cholesterol
• you're a man over 40 or a woman over 50 and you haven't had your cholesterol checked in the last 3 years
• you've had a stroke or TIA in the past
• you are over 65
• a close family member (such as a parent, sibling, or child) had a stroke before age 65
• you smoke
• you regularly drink more than 2 drinks a day or 10 drinks a week for women, or more than 3 drinks a day or 15 drinks a week for men
• you don't have an active lifestyle (this does not apply to people whose doctor has not given them approval to exercise)
• you have any other concerns about your stroke risk

If any of these apply to you, contact your doctor to discuss your stroke risk.