Common Risk Factors For a Stroke

Strokes can cause a number of debilitating effects that last for a lifetime. Even with 
modern medicine being on the cutting edge of discovering cures and treatments, the 
need for focus on preventative care still needs to be addressed. When you look at the 
collection of factors that surround a health issue, it is always easier to safe guard 
yourself, or at least reduce the appearance of negative health events. Here is a short list 
of common risk factors for a stroke. 

Family History 

When a family member who preceded you has heart disease, it increases your chances 
of having some kind of health event. This is because a person related to you will have 
had similar genetics, and therefore you will carry many of the same developmental DNA 
in your system. This makes it easier for doctors to know what to look for when you go 
get an annual checkup. That can rule out diseases and make it easier to find the cause 
of symptoms that are more particular to you, or pinpoint the exact source of the problem 
before it becomes a life-threatening issue.  

Atrial Fibrillation

If your heart is prone to arrhythmic activity, you are at a much higher risk of stroke, 
because poor blood flow can cause blood clots and other blood obstructions. 
Sometimes during one of these episodes, a person will experience pain in their chest 
that can be very startling. If the heart is weak, then they may not be able to get enough 
blood to other important organs like the brain which could result in dizzy spells and 
tiredness. When this kind of disruption continues for a sustained amount of time it can 
result in serious damage to the heart and make it harder for you to breathe. 

Transient Ischemic Attack

This condition can manifest itself in a few different ways, and they are generally 
considered to be more serious signs of what could be the first signs of an increased 
likelihood of a stroke. When you feel faint, dizzy or confused to the degree that you are 
having trouble thinking. If you have a hard time swallowing or your ability to feel 
sensation in your fingertips has lessened. Weakness on one side of the body is another 
clue, and the one of the most frightening of these is loss of the ability to engage in 
coherent speech.
