I want to learn more about Stroke risk reduction

1. Why is stroke risk reduction so important?
2. How likely am I to have a stroke?
3. What can I do to reduce my stroke risk?
4. How can my doctor help?

I have atrial fibrillation (AFib) and want to learn more about stroke risk reduction

1. Why is stroke risk reduction so important for people with AFib?
2. How likely am I to have a stroke?
3. What can I do to reduce my stroke risk?
4. What is the best way to work with my doctor?

I have high blood pressure and want to learn more about stroke risk reduction

1. Why is stroke risk reduction so important for me?
2. How likely am I to have a stroke?
3. What can I do to reduce my stroke risk?
4. What is the best way to work with my doctor?

I have high cholesterol and want to learn more about stroke risk reduction

1. Why is stroke risk reduction so important for me?
2. How likely am I to have a stroke?
3. What can I do to reduce my stroke risk?
4. What is the best way to work with my doctor?

I have diabetes and want to learn more about stroke risk reduction

1. Why is stroke risk reduction so important for me?
2. How likely am I to have a stroke?
3. What can I do to reduce my stroke risk?
4. What is the best way to work with my doctor?

I have had a stroke or TIA ("mini-stroke") and want to reduce the risk of another stroke

1. Why is stroke risk reduction so important for me?
2. How likely am I to have a stroke?
3. What can I do to reduce my stroke risk?
4. What is the best way to work with my doctor?

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Talking to your doctor

Working with your doctor is an important part of managing your risk of stroke. Be prepared and learn how to talk to your doctor.

• Learn more

Diabetes can put you at a higher risk of stroke, but your exact risk depends on your overall health, including any other stroke risk factors you may have:

• Stroke risk factors you can't control
• Diabetes and other stroke risk factors you can control

Stroke risk factors you can't control

If you have diabetes, you're already at risk of a stroke. But your risk may be even higher if you have one or more of the following risk factors that can't 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 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! Focus on managing your diabetes and dealing with other risk factors you can control.

Talk to your doctor to find out about your stroke risk and how to reduce your risk of a stroke.

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

Diabetes and other stroke risk factors you can control

Diabetes is a major risk factor for stroke. You may be at an even higher risk if you have any of these other controllable risk factors:

Lifestyle factors:

• being overweight (use the body mass index [BMI] calculator to see if you are overweight)
• eating an unhealthy diet (low in fruits and vegetables and high in sodium and saturated or trans fat)
• not getting enough exercise (this applies only to people whose doctor has given them approval to exercise. For these people, current guidelines recommend 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on 4 to 7 days of the 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.

Other 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. Learn more about atrial fibrillation and stroke risk reduction.
• high cholesterol: causes fatty deposits to build up in your blood vessels, which could block blood vessels in the brain and cause a stroke. Learn more about high cholesterol and stroke risk reduction.
• high blood pressure: damages blood vessels so they are more likely to clog up or burst, leading to a stroke. Learn more about high blood pressure and stroke risk reduction.

Managing diabetes and other medical conditions 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 about how to reduce your risk of stroke due to diabetes and other risk factors.

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

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