Stroke: Preventing the First Incident
80% of strokes could be prevented.
Dr. Marc Dufresne
Cardiologist
In simple terms
High blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, smoking: risk factors are known and modifiable in the vast majority of cases.
What you need to remember
- The 10 Major Risk Factors — According to the INTERSTROKE study involving 26,000 participants in 32 countries:
- The FAST acronym for recognizing a stroke — F** (Face): Is one side of the face paralyzed?
Stroke is the leading cause of acquired disability in adults and the third leading cause of mortality in industrialized countries. The good news: most risk factors are modifiable.
The 10 Major Risk Factors
According to the INTERSTROKE study involving 26,000 participants in 32 countries:
- High blood pressure (responsible for 48% of strokes)
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High waist-to-hip ratio (abdominal obesity)
- Unbalanced diet
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Atrial fibrillation
- Diabetes
- Stress and depression
- Dyslipidemia
The FAST acronym for recognizing a stroke
- F (Face): Is one side of the face paralyzed?
- A (Arm): Can an arm no longer be lifted?
- S (Speech): Is speech slurred?
- T (Time): It's an emergency, call 112
Daily Prevention
- Control blood pressure
- Quit smoking (stroke risk returns to normal in 5 years)
- Engage in 30 minutes of physical activity per day
- Screen for and treat atrial fibrillation
The words explained
Medical terms used above, in everyday language.
- Risk factor
- Something that makes an illness more likely, such as smoking or family history.
- Blood pressure
- The force of blood pushing against your artery walls. Too high, over years, damages the heart and vessels.
- Prevention
- Steps taken before a problem starts, to make it less likely.
When should you see a doctor?
- Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
- They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
- You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
- You already take medication and want to change anything about it.
This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Stroke: Preventing the First Incident?
- High blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, smoking: risk factors are known and modifiable in the vast majority of cases.
- What are the main symptoms or signs of Stroke: Preventing the First Incident?
- Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.
- When should you see a doctor for Stroke: Preventing the First Incident?
- See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.
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