Stroke Risk Assessment
Self Stroke Risk Assessment
You can assess your risk for stroke by using the table below
| Risk Factor | High Risk | Caution | Low Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Pressure | > 140/90 or unknown | 120-139/80-89 | < 120/80 |
| Atrial Fibrillation | Irregular heartbeat | I don't know | Regular heartbeat |
| Smoking | Smoker | Trying to quit | Nonsmoker |
| Cholesterol | > 240 or unknown | 200-239 | < 200 |
| Diabetes | Yes | Borderline | No |
| Exercise | Couch Potato | Some Exercise | Regular Exercise |
| Diet | Overweight | Slightly Overweight | Healthy Weight |
| Stroke in Family | Yes | Not Sure | No |
| TOTAL SCORE | High Risk | Caution | Low Risk |
Risk Scorecard Results
High Risk: If you have three or more high risk points, you should ask your doctor about stroke prevention right away.
Caution: If you have four to six caution points, you have a good start. You need to continue working on reducing your risk of stroke.
Low Risk: If you have six to eight low risk points, you're doing very well at controlling your stroke risk!
Reducing Risk of Stroke
You should ask your healthcare professional how to reduce your risk of stroke. Here are some basic steps to get you started:
- Know your blood pressure.
- Find out whether you have atrial fibrillation.
- If you smoke, stop.
- Find out if you have high cholesterol.
- If you are diabetic, follow recommendations to control your diabetes.
- Include exercise in your daily routine.
- Enjoy a lower-sodium (salt), lower-fat diet.
Signs of Stroke
You should call 911 immediately at any sign of stroke. If you believe that someone is having a stroke, act FAST.
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Is speech slurred or confusing? Is the person unable to speak?
Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately.
