BE STROKE SMART - Stroke Risk Quiz

Stroke Facts:

• Every 45 seconds an American suffers from a stroke
• Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death among Americans
• More than 700,000 Americans will suffer a stroke this year
• Stroke is the #1 cause of serious disability in the United States  

This quiz will help you determine your risk for stroke and vascular disease. Choose YES or NO response to the questions below. Give each YES answer 1 point. The more points you have, the higher your risk.

Risks that you CANNOT change:

Heredity
Family history of stroke or heart attack puts you at greater risk.
Do you have a parent, grandparent or sibling that has had a stroke or heart attack?
   YES   NO

Age
The older you are, the greater your risk.
Are you over 40?
   YES   NO

Gender
Men are at higher risk for stroke than women, though women who are pregnant, who smoke and takes birth control pills, or have high blood pressure, have an increased risk.
Are you male?
   YES   NO

Race
African-Americans have a higher risk than Caucasians, and other non African-Americans.
Are you African-American?
   YES   NO

Risks that CAN be controlled or changed:

High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke.
Do you have high blood pressure (either top or bottom number >140/90)?
   YES   NO

Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoking is a major, preventable risk for stroke. Nicotine and carbon monoxide damage the blood vessel walls, making clots more likely to form. Using birth control pills combined with smoking further raises your risk.
Do you smoke?
   YES   NO

Diabetes
Diabetes is a high blood sugar (>126 mm/dL) that damages blood vessels and makes it easier for clots to form, increasing your stroke risk.
Do you have diabetes?
   YES   NO

Physical Inactivity
A sedentary lifestyle will raise your stroke risk.
Do you receive LESS THAN 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days?
   YES   NO

Weight
Obesity will increase your stroke risk.
Are you more than 20 lbs overweight?
   YES   NO

High Cholesterol
A high total blood cholesterol (> 240 mg/dL) or a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL > 100 mg/dL) will increase your risk for stroke.
Do you have high cholesterol?
   YES   NO

Excessive Alcohol
Drinking excessive alcohol can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk for stroke.
Do you drink more than 1 serving per day of alcohol (for women) or 2 servings per day (for men)?
   YES   NO

How many questions did you answer YES? Each YES answer is 1 point.

If you answered YES to 4 or more, you owe it to yourself to schedule an appointment with your personal physician for a complete vascular evaluation. If you need a physician, we can help.

MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
A Primary Stroke Center
Certified by The Joint Commission and MEIMS
For more information or physician referrals, call 443-777-7900