Are You at Risk for Stroke?

Learn what people mean when they say the term "risk factor."

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Yet, few people are aware of whether or not they have risk factors that can make them susceptible to having one.

Atherogenic risk factors are medical conditions that can induce chronic damage to arteries in the brain and lead to stroke.

A large portion of the blood that leaves the heart with each heart beat reaches the brain. Because of this, a blood clot that forms inside the heart can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Find out how your genetics, your age, and other uncontrollable factors can change your odds of having a stroke.

Doctors often call these "environmental factors." But they have more to do with choices you make.

It is becoming clear that the use of recreational drugs and alcohol increase the risk for stroke.

If you're a snorer, this is a must-read. Obstructive sleep apnea could causing your problem -- and even increasing your risk for stroke.

Coagulation disorders are medical conditions in which blood clot formation is abnormal. This can increase a person's risk of stroke.

These are some common tests used by doctors to find out if a person has a blood clotting disorder. Positive results can help better determine risk for stroke.

Although stroke in pregnancy is a rare event, there are certain circumstances that greatly increase the risk.

If you suffer from migraines, migrainous infarction -- or "migraine-induced stroke" -- is a subject you should know about.