Answer:
People at high risk of stroke typically fall into groups with cardiovascular, metabolic, and lifestyle risk factors. The risk increases with the number of risk factors a person has. The main risk factors include:
Cardiovascular diseases:
- High blood pressure: This is the most significant risk factor.
- Heart disease.
- Atrial fibrillation – which can easily lead to blood clots causing a stroke.
- Heart failure, heart attack, and valvular heart disease.
- Carotid artery atherosclerosis: Plaque rupture can cause a stroke.
Metabolic disorders:
- Diabetes: Increases the risk of both heart attack and stroke.
- Lipid disorders: Promotes atherosclerosis.
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Lifestyle habits:
- Smoking (increases the risk two to four times).
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Lack of physical activity, a diet high in salt and saturated fat.
- Chronic stress.
Biological and genetic factors:
- Age >55 (risk increases with age).
- Men are at higher risk than premenopausal women.
- Family history of stroke or early cardiovascular disease.
- Certain blood clotting disorders or congenital vascular diseases.
In addition, some other conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic kidney disease, vasculitis, or vascular immune disorders can also increase the risk.
Among the groups mentioned above, those at very high risk and who should be actively monitored and receive preventative care include people with high blood pressure combined with diabetes and smoking; those with atrial fibrillation or blood clots in the heart; and individuals who have experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a previous minor stroke.
Doctor Tran Duc Canh
Deputy Head of the Department of Endoscopy and Functional Exploration - K Central Hospital
