Causes of Stroke : Reducing Your Risk

Stroke is when poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. They result in part of the brain not functioning properly. Signs and symptoms of a stroke may include an inability to move or feel on one side of the body, problems understanding or speaking, feeling like the world is spinning, or loss of vision to one side among others. Signs and symptoms often appear soon after the stroke has occurred. If symptoms last less than one or two hours it is known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Hemorrhagic strokes may also be associated with a severe headache. The symptoms of a stroke can be permanent. Long term complications may include pneumonia or loss of bladder control.

Brain

65 causes

Protective Factors	Studies
Protective Factor Moderate Exercise Selfcare	3 studies Leisure-Time Physical Activity Reduces Total and Cardiovascular Mor... Study in 2016 -61% with High evidence in 20 years 2,456 subjects Leisure-Time Physical Activity Reduces Total and Cardiovascular Mor... Study in 2016 -40% with High evidence in 20 years 2,456 subjects The benefits of physical activity for health and well-being -27% with High evidence
Protective Factor Social Support Selfcare	1 study Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart ... Study in 2016 -32% with High evidence in 10 years 35,925 subjects
Protective Factor Marriage Selfcare	1 study Marital History and Survival After Stroke Study in 2016 -30% with High evidence in 18 years 2,300 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Citrus (orange, mandar... Nutrition	2 studies Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -31% with High evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Mediterranean diet Nutrition	2 studies Effects on Health Outcomes of a Mediterranean Diet With No Restrict... Study in 2016 -29% with High evidence in 5 years 465,106 subjects Dietary patterns and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular event... -11% with High evidence in 3 years 8 months 15,482 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Aspirin Manufactured	1 study Stroke prevention by aspirin or warfarin for atrial fibrillation -22% with High evidence in 1 year 4 months 1,330 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Red Onions Nutrition	2 studies Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -28% with Moderate evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Berries Nutrition	2 studies Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -28% with Moderate evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Vegetables Nutrition	2 studies Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -28% with Low evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Humour Selfcare	1 study Laughter is the Best Medicine? A Cross-Sectional Study of Cardiovas... Study in 2016 -60% with Moderate evidence 20 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Cruciferous vegetables Nutrition	2 studies Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Beets Nutrition	2 studies Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Coffee (Caffeine) Beverage	2 studies Association of Coffee Consumption with Total and Cause-Specific Mor... Study in 2015 -19% with Moderate evidence in 22 years 208,501 subjects Association of Coffee Drinking with Total and Cause-Specific Mortality Study in 2012 -16% with High evidence in 13 years 617,119 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Spinach Nutrition	3 studies Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects Dietary magnesium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ty... Study in 2016 -7% with Moderate evidence in 14 years 1,000,000 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Purple Sweet Potato Nutrition	2 studies Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -11% with Moderate evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Fruits Nutrition	1 study Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Peanuts Nutrition	1 study Higher nut intake is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular... Study in 2016 -17% with High evidence in 10 years 819,448 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Prunes Nutrition	1 study Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Grapes & Raisins Nutrition	1 study Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Carrots Nutrition	1 study Total Antioxidant Capacity of Diet and Risk of Stroke: A Population... Study in 2012 -17% with High evidence in 12 years 31 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Bananas Nutrition	2 studies Potassium depletion as a risk factor for stroke Study in 2002 -30% with Moderate evidence in 3 years 9,800 subjects Dietary magnesium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ty... Study in 2016 -7% with Moderate evidence in 14 years 1,000,000 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Whole grains Nutrition	1 study Whole grain consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer,... Study in 2016 -12% with High evidence in 10 years 705,253 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Broccoli Nutrition	2 studies Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -28% with Moderate evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects Dietary magnesium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ty... Study in 2016 -7% with Moderate evidence in 14 years 1,000,000 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Cacao Nutrition	2 studies Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -28% with Moderate evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects Dietary magnesium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ty... Study in 2016 -7% with Moderate evidence in 14 years 1,000,000 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Nuts & Peanuts Nutrition	2 studies Higher nut intake is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular... Study in 2016 -11% with High evidence in 10 years 819,448 subjects Dietary magnesium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ty... Study in 2016 -7% with Moderate evidence in 14 years 1,000,000 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Red Wine Beverage	1 study Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -28% with Moderate evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Green Tea Beverage	1 study Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -28% with Moderate evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Tomato Nutrition	1 study Flavanone Intake Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Incident Isch... Study in 2016 -28% with Moderate evidence in 6 years 6 months 20,024 subjects
Minor Risk Factor Learning Ability Brain system	1 study Health characteristics and consultation patterns of people with int... Study in 2016 -74% with Low evidence 100,972 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Refined grains Nutrition	1 study Whole grain consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer,... Study in 2016 -5% with High evidence in 10 years 705,253 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Fresh Chili Peppers (C... Herb	2 studies The Association of Hot Red Chili Pepper Consumption and Mortality: ... Study in 2017 -36% with Moderate evidence in 6 years 16,179 subjects Consumption of spicy foods and total and cause specific mortality: ... Study in 2015 -3% with High evidence in 4 years 487,375 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Soy Nutrition	1 study Dietary magnesium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ty... Study in 2016 -7% with Moderate evidence in 14 years 1,000,000 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Fish & SeaFood rich in... Nutrition	1 study Dietary magnesium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ty... Study in 2016 -7% with Moderate evidence in 14 years 1,000,000 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Yoghurt Nutrition	1 study Dietary magnesium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ty... Study in 2016 -7% with Low evidence in 14 years 1,000,000 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Fasting Nutrition	1 study Impact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes Study in 2016 -1% with Low evidence

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Risk Factors	Studies
Strong Risk Factor Type 2 Diabetes Lymphatic system	1 study High diabetes-mellitus-linked mortality in Mexico Study in 2016 +250% with High evidence in 16 years 142,101 subjects
Strong Risk Factor Lead Exposure Contaminant	1 study Metal pollutants and cardiovascular disease: Mechanisms and consequ... Study in 2014 +151% with High evidence 60,000 subjects
Risk Factor Contraceptive pills Manufactured	1 study Risk of Acute Thromboembolic Events With Oral Contraceptive Use: A ... Study in 2013 +90% with High evidence in 9 years
Risk Factor Trimethylamine N-oxid... Digestive system	2 studies Gut microbiota-dependent trimethylamine N-oxide in acute coronary s... Study in 2017 +465% with Moderate evidence in 6 months 530 subjects Gut microbiota-dependent trimethylamine N-oxide in acute coronary s... Study in 2017 +57% with Moderate evidence in 1 year 530 subjects
Risk Factor Metabolic Syndrome Lymphatic system	3 studies Race and Ethnicity, Obesity, Metabolic Health, and Risk of Cardiova... Study in 2015 +117% with Moderate evidence in 13 years 14 subjects Race and Ethnicity, Obesity, Metabolic Health, and Risk of Cardiova... Study in 2015 +77% with Moderate evidence in 13 years 14 subjects Metabolic Syndrome and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis Study in 2006 +76% with High evidence in 5 years
Risk Factor Learning Disability Brain system	1 study Health characteristics and consultation patterns of people with int... Study in 2016 +74% with High evidence 100,972 subjects
Risk Factor Inflammation Lymphatic system	1 study Relation of C-reactive protein to stroke, cognitive disorders, and ... Study in 2005 +70% with High evidence in 8 years
Risk Factor Arsenic Contaminant	1 study Metal pollutants and cardiovascular disease: Mechanisms and consequ... Study in 2014 +203% with Moderate evidence 60,000 subjects
Risk Factor Long Duration of Sleep Musculoskeletal system	1 study Sleep duration predicts cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic revie... Study in 2011 +65% with High evidence in 10 years 474,684 subjects
Risk Factor Chronic kidney disease Urinary system	1 study Absolute Rates of Heart Failure, Coronary Heart Disease, and Stroke... Study in 2016 +64% with High evidence in 12 years 14,462 subjects
Risk Factor Obesity Musculoskeletal system	1 study The incidence of co-morbidities related to obesity and overweight: ... Study in 2008 +51% with High evidence in 10 years
Risk Factor Smoking Contaminant	1 study Meta-analysis of relation between cigarette smoking and stroke. Study in 1989 +50% with High evidence
Minor Risk Factor Depression Brain system	1 study Elucidating the Association Between Depressive Symptoms, Coronary H... Study in 2016 +26% with High evidence in 32 years 22,666 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Amygdalar activity Brain system	1 study Relation between resting amygdalar activity and cardiovascular even... Study in 2017 +59% with Moderate evidence in 3 years 9 months 293 subjects
Minor Risk Factor Cadmium Contaminant	1 study Metal pollutants and cardiovascular disease: Mechanisms and consequ... Study in 2014 +18% with High evidence 60,000 subjects
Minor Protective Factor Cortisol Endocrine system	1 study Cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess. Study in 2005 +50% with Moderate evidence in 5 years
Minor Risk Factor Poor sleep Musculoskeletal system	1 study Sleep duration predicts cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic revie... Study in 2011 +13% with High evidence in 10 years 474,684 subjects
Minor Risk Factor Red Meat Nutrition	2 studies Red and processed meat consumption and risk of incident coronary he... Study in 2010 +17% with Moderate evidence in 10 years 20 subjects Potential health hazards of eating red meat Study in 2016 +11% with Moderate evidence
Minor Risk Factor Radiotherapy Manufactured	1 study Non–Cancer-Related Deaths From Suicide, Cardiovascular Disease, and... Study in 2012 +70% with Low evidence in 4 years 32 subjects
Minor Risk Factor Pets Selfcare	1 study Cat ownership and the Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Diseases. Result... Study in 2009 +50% with Low evidence in 20 years 4,435 subjects
Minor Risk Factor Processed Meat Nutrition	1 study Potential health hazards of eating red meat Study in 2016 +13% with Moderate evidence
Minor Risk Factor Atrial Fibrillation Cardiovascular system	1 study Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on the Risk of Death The Framingham H... Study in 1998 +25% with Low evidence in 40 years 5,209 subjects
Minor Risk Factor Early Menarche Reproductive system	1 study Age at Menarche and Risks of All-Cause and Cardiovascular Death: A ... Study in 2014 +5% with Moderate evidence in 2 years
Minor Risk Factor Alcohol Beverage	2 studies Differing association of alcohol consumption with different stroke ... Study in 2016 +14% with High evidence 73,587 subjects Differing association of alcohol consumption with different stroke ... Study in 2016 -10% with High evidence 73,587 subjects

Outcomes	References
Minor Risk Factor Delirium Brain system	2 studies Delirium Update for Postacute Care and Long-Term Care Settings: A N... Study in 2017 +27% with Low evidence in 1 year Delirium and dementia in acute medical admissions of elderly patien... Study in 1993 +22% with Low evidence 331 subjects

Most people think of stroke as a disease of old age. But newborns have as high a risk of stroke as the elderly. Stroke in the first 28 days of...

2 causes found in 1 health study

Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pa...

51 causes found in 50 health studies

Atrial fibrillation (AF or A-fib) is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating. Often it starts as brief periods o...

5 causes found in 4 health studies

Heart failure (HF), often referred to as congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain bloo...

4 causes found in 6 health studies

Coronary Heart Disease (Ischaemic Heart Disease) Cardiovascular

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries suppl...

41 causes found in 36 health studies

Heart Attack (Myocardial infarction - ACS) Cardiovascular

Myocardial infarction (MI) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow stops to a part of t...

50 causes found in 34 health studies

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the five major groups of lipoprotein. These groups, from least dense (largest particles) to most dense...

23 causes found in 23 health studies

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) Cardiovascular

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra, abnormal heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's two lower pumping chambers (ventric...

1 cause found in 1 health study

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. When a blood ...

5 causes found in 5 health studies

There are 35 factors preventing Stroke, including:

Protective Factor Moderate ExerciseSelfcare

Protective Factor Social SupportSelfcare

Protective Factor MarriageSelfcare

Minor Protective Factor Citrus (orange, mandar...Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Mediterranean dietNutrition

Minor Protective Factor AspirinManufactured

Minor Protective Factor Red OnionsNutrition

Minor Protective Factor BerriesNutrition

Minor Protective Factor VegetablesNutrition

Minor Protective Factor HumourSelfcare

Minor Protective Factor Cruciferous vegetablesNutrition

Minor Protective Factor BeetsNutrition

Minor Protective Factor Coffee (Caffeine)Beverage

Minor Protective Factor SpinachNutrition

Minor Protective Factor Purple Sweet PotatoNutrition

Minor Protective Factor FruitsNutrition

Minor Protective Factor PeanutsNutrition

Minor Protective Factor PrunesNutrition

Minor Protective Factor Grapes & RaisinsNutrition

Minor Protective Factor CarrotsNutrition

Minor Protective Factor BananasNutrition

Minor Protective Factor Whole grainsNutrition

Minor Protective Factor BroccoliNutrition

Minor Protective Factor CacaoNutrition

Minor Protective Factor Nuts & PeanutsNutrition

Minor Protective Factor Red WineBeverage

Minor Protective Factor Green TeaBeverage

Minor Protective Factor TomatoNutrition

Minor Risk Factor Learning AbilityBrain system

Minor Protective Factor Refined grainsNutrition

Minor Protective Factor Fresh Chili Peppers (C...Herb

Minor Protective Factor SoyNutrition

Minor Protective Factor Fish & SeaFood rich in...Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor YoghurtNutrition

Minor Protective Factor FastingNutrition

There are 24 factors increasing Stroke, including:

Strong Risk Factor Type 2 DiabetesLymphatic system

Strong Risk Factor Lead ExposureContaminant

Risk Factor Contraceptive pillsManufactured

Risk Factor Trimethylamine N-oxid...Digestive system

Risk Factor Metabolic SyndromeLymphatic system

Risk Factor Learning DisabilityBrain system

Risk Factor InflammationLymphatic system

Risk Factor ArsenicContaminant

Risk Factor Long Duration of SleepMusculoskeletal system

Risk Factor Chronic kidney disease Urinary system

Risk Factor ObesityMusculoskeletal system

Risk Factor SmokingContaminant

Minor Risk Factor DepressionBrain system

Minor Protective Factor Amygdalar activity Brain system

Minor Risk Factor CadmiumContaminant

Minor Protective Factor CortisolEndocrine system

Minor Risk Factor Poor sleepMusculoskeletal system

Minor Risk Factor Red MeatNutrition

Minor Risk Factor RadiotherapyManufactured

Minor Risk Factor PetsSelfcare

Minor Risk Factor Processed MeatNutrition

Minor Risk Factor Atrial FibrillationCardiovascular system

Minor Risk Factor Early MenarcheReproductive system

Minor Risk Factor AlcoholBeverage

Possible outcomes of Stroke

Minor Risk Factor DeliriumBrain system

Related to Stroke

Neonatal hemorrhagic strokeBrain

Cardiovascular DiseaseCardiovascular

Atrial FibrillationCardiovascular

Congestive Heart FailureCardiovascular

Coronary Heart Disease (I...Cardiovascular

Heart Attack (Myocardial ...Cardiovascular

LDLLymphatic

Premature ventricular con...Cardiovascular

ThrombosisCardiovascular

Protective Factor Moderate Exercise
Selfcare

Protective Factor Social Support
Selfcare

Protective Factor Marriage
Selfcare

Minor Protective Factor Citrus (orange, mandar...
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Mediterranean diet
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Aspirin
Manufactured

Minor Protective Factor Red Onions
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Berries
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Vegetables
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Humour
Selfcare

Minor Protective Factor Cruciferous vegetables
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Beets
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Coffee (Caffeine)
Beverage

Minor Protective Factor Spinach
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Purple Sweet Potato
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Fruits
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Peanuts
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Prunes
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Grapes & Raisins
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Carrots
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Bananas
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Whole grains
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Broccoli
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Cacao
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Nuts & Peanuts
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Red Wine
Beverage

Minor Protective Factor Green Tea
Beverage

Minor Protective Factor Tomato
Nutrition

Minor Risk Factor Learning Ability
Brain system

Minor Protective Factor Refined grains
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Fresh Chili Peppers (C...
Herb

Minor Protective Factor Soy
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Fish & SeaFood rich in...
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Yoghurt
Nutrition

Minor Protective Factor Fasting
Nutrition

Strong Risk Factor Type 2 Diabetes
Lymphatic system

Strong Risk Factor Lead Exposure
Contaminant

Risk Factor Contraceptive pills
Manufactured

Risk Factor Trimethylamine N-oxid...
Digestive system

Risk Factor Metabolic Syndrome
Lymphatic system

Risk Factor Learning Disability
Brain system

Risk Factor Inflammation
Lymphatic system

Risk Factor Arsenic
Contaminant

Risk Factor Long Duration of Sleep
Musculoskeletal system

Risk Factor Chronic kidney disease
Urinary system

Risk Factor Obesity
Musculoskeletal system

Risk Factor Smoking
Contaminant

Minor Risk Factor Depression
Brain system

Minor Protective Factor Amygdalar activity
Brain system

Minor Risk Factor Cadmium
Contaminant

Minor Protective Factor Cortisol
Endocrine system

Minor Risk Factor Poor sleep
Musculoskeletal system

Minor Risk Factor Red Meat
Nutrition

Minor Risk Factor Radiotherapy
Manufactured

Minor Risk Factor Pets
Selfcare

Minor Risk Factor Processed Meat
Nutrition

Minor Risk Factor Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiovascular system

Minor Risk Factor Early Menarche
Reproductive system

Minor Risk Factor Alcohol
Beverage

Minor Risk Factor Delirium
Brain system

Neonatal hemorrhagic stroke
Brain

Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular

Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiovascular

Congestive Heart Failure
Cardiovascular

Coronary Heart Disease (I...
Cardiovascular

Heart Attack (Myocardial ...
Cardiovascular

LDL
Lymphatic

Premature ventricular con...
Cardiovascular

Thrombosis
Cardiovascular