Risk factors for stroke

May 26, 2006
Life Line Screening provides a checklist for factors that could lead to a stroke.

Risk factors for stroke Are you at risk for stroke? Is someone you love? You have some control over the following risk factors:

• High blood pressure

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Carotid artery disease

• High cholesterol

• Physical inactivity

• Obesity

• Heavy alcohol use

Here are some risk factors you cannot change:

• Aging

• Being male

• African-American

• Ethnicity

• A family history of stroke

• A prior stroke or heart attack

• Sickle cell disease

Know the Warning Signs of Stroke

If you experience any of the following symptoms — even if they go away within a few minutes — seek medical help immediately:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion

• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech

• Vision problems in one or both eyes, including blurred vision, double vision, or partial blindness

• Loss of balance or coordination, or dizziness

• A sudden, severe headache

Life Line Screening is the nation's leading provider of preventive health screenings. Since 1993, our mobile units have been coming to your neighborhoods to provide stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, and osteoporosis screenings. The tests are fast and accurate, providing results for you to review with your personal physician. Why not join the more than four million people who have benefited from these painless, noninvasive, inexpensive tests? Visit us at www.lifelinescreening.com.