Hypertension is the strongest predictor of stroke risk.

The third most common killer in the U.S. is stroke. The Interstroke study of stroke cases in 22 countries ranked the most common risk factors as follows:

1. Hypertension
2. Smoking
3. Abdominal obesity
4. Healthy diet and physical activity.

A history of high blood pressure increased the risk by 2.5 times, and smoking by more than double. Regular exercise cut stroke by more than 30%.

PositiveTip: All these risk factors are related to positive lifestyle choices. What choices are you making?