Risk factors we can't change

Making changes to your lifestyle to make it healthier can reduce your risk of having a stroke. But there are some risk factors that you cannot change.

Your gender
More men under 75 have strokes than women. But middle-aged women are more likely to have a stroke than men in the same age group.

Your age
Most people who have strokes are aged over 55, and the risk increases as you get older.

Your ethnic background
Although we don’t yet know why, people of South Asian, African or African-Caribbean origin are more likely to have a stroke than the rest of the population.

None of these factors mean that you will necessarily have a stroke, but it is useful to be aware if you are at increased risk so that you can take steps to live a healthier lifestyle.

Read our publications:
Stroke in African-Caribbean people
Stroke in South Asian people

Useful organisations:
Afiya Trust