Age and gender
Your changes go up as you get older. Actually, they double every decade after age 55. Women are less likely to have a stroke than men of the same age. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. More than 140,000 people die each year from a stroke in the United States. So, stay away from smoking, manage your heart, cut the booze and eat healthier foods to lower your risk of a stroke.