Are Strokes Genetic? What Are the Risk Factors For Strokes?
Are strokes genetic? Strokes can be frightening, especially since there is almost no way to predict that they are going to happen. Can strokes be genetically inherited? This article will talk about strokes and if having a family history of stroke can put a person at more risk or not. After reading the article, you can read about the connection between strokes and dental health by learning about the benefits of getting porcelain veneers.
Are strokes genetic? Strokes can be frightening, especially since there is almost no way to predict that they are going to happen. Can strokes be genetically inherited? This article will talk about strokes and if having a family history of stroke can put a person at more risk or not. After reading the article, you can read about the connection between strokes and dental health by learning about the benefits of getting porcelain veneers.
Are strokes genetic?
If you are wondering if having a family member (or multiple ones) that have experienced having a stroke in the past puts you at more risk of having one yourself, the answer is no. Strokes cannot be genetically passed down from one generation to another. Why then do many people have the notion that it can?
The reason why people think that strokes can be passed down is that there are some risk factors for stroke that are hereditary. Examples of these are high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. These medical conditions can be passed down within a family and they can also increase the risk of stroke.
Factors that affect stroke
Certain factors can affect if a person is at more risk of having a stroke or not. There are lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol use, and exercise that can contribute to or reduce the risk of a person having a stroke or not. However, some factors cannot be controlled.
Age
In younger individuals, the risk of having a stroke is low. However, as people age, the risk increases.
Family history
If a person has a family history of various medical conditions that can contribute to stroke, then they will be at more risk of experiencing a stroke.
Gender
Based on statistical data, in people who were under the age of 75 years, more men suffer from stroke episodes than women.
Ethnicity
Although strokes and other types of mental illness do not recognize cultural boundaries or ethnic backgrounds, some ethnic groups are more likely to develop the risk for strokes such as people with the African Caribbean and Asian descent. These ethnic groups are more at risk to be diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes.
Reducing the risk for stroke
Even if strokes are impossible to predict because they happen so suddenly, there are ways to reduce the risk of having an attack in the future.
Getting rid of harmful lifestyle choices
If you are a smoker, or have an unhealthy alcohol habit, changing or getting rid of harmful lifestyle choices will reduce the risk for stroke as well as better your health as a whole.
Having regular health checks
Getting regular health checks will ensure that you do not develop any of the medical conditions that your family has. Preventive methods will keep chronic illness and stroke at bay.
Eating healthy food and getting exercise
Lastly, having regular exercise and a healthy diet will ensure that your body stays healthy to fight illness. These two steps are crucial in making sure your health stays at an optimal level.
