Several factors increase the risk of stroke; some are controllable or modifiable and some are not.

Modifiable factors:

  1. Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  2. Diabetes Mellitus (high blood sugar)
  3. High cholesterol level
  4. Heart disease , like ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation [ heart rhythm abnormality]
  5. Smoking
  6. Obesity, lack of physical activity

Non-modifiable factors:

  1. Age
  2. Gender

Family history of stroke