Are Strokes Hereditary?

Your family history can influence your stroke risk

Your genes play a role in who you are. This can be true for everything from your appearance and preferences to your blood type. Have green eyes? Thank your dad. Were you one of the tallest kids in your class? You probably got it from your mom.

So, what about your health? Could that sensitive stomach be a gift from your grandpa? That’s why knowing your family history matters. Especially when it comes to stroke risk.

How do strokes affect the brain?

The blood vessels in your brain help supply oxygenated blood to the area. When a stroke causes an interruption in blood flow, parts of your brain can be damaged.

Depending on the type and severity of your stroke, different parts of your body may be affected. That may lead to a change in how you function. “Thinking and memory can also change after a stroke,” says Varun Pulakanti, MD, neurologist at Geisinger.

Can strokes run in families?

Like other conditions, strokes can (and do) run in families. Because you inherit genes from both parents, certain genetic factors can make you more likely to have a stroke.

You may have someone in your family who’s had a stroke. And that may not directly influence your risk, especially if theirs was caused by lifestyle factors like smoking or being overweight.

“However, if you have a parent or sibling who’s had one, your risk may be up to 40% higher,” says Dr. Pulakanti.

Your family history can cause you to inherit:

Hereditary conditions that can cause strokes
Conditions that can include strokes as a complication, like Ehlers-Danos syndrome or sickle-cell anemia
Gene mutations that increase stroke risk, like ones affecting how your blood clots
Genetic mutations that raise stroke risk factors, like diabetes or high blood pressure

Genetics can also determine your blood type, which can influence your risk. Dr. Pulikanti notes that if you have type AB blood, your risk of stroke is higher. While those with type O blood have a lower risk.

Health conditions that raise your stroke risk

Besides inherited disorders, other conditions can increase your risk of having a stroke. These include:

High blood pressure

High blood pressure damages blood vessels. Over time, that damage can cause blockages and blood clots to form. Those clots can break free and travel to your brain. And weak blood vessels can rupture, causing internal bleeding. Both can lead to a stroke.

Diabetes

Managing diabetes is key if you want to feel your best. With uncontrolled diabetes, excess glucose, or blood sugar, builds up in your blood. That excess sugar can damage blood vessels, which can put you at risk of a stroke.

Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is common type of arrythmia, or irregular heartbeat. With AFib, your heart rhythm becomes irregular. This can cause blood to pool in your heart, leading to blood clots. If a clot travels to your brain, it can lead to a stroke.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea happens when you stop breathing for short periods during sleep. When you stop breathing, oxygen levels drop. As oxygen levels decrease, your blood pressure may increase. Blood flow to your brain may also drop. Left untreated, it can increase your risk of stroke.

Other conditions that can raise your stroke risk include COVID-19, high cholesterol or being overweight.

Reducing your risk

Just because you have a family history of stroke doesn’t mean you can’t lower your risk. To help lower your risk of a stroke, think about these:

Genetic testing

Genetic testing can help identify whether you have inherited conditions that make you more likely to have a stroke. If you do have a gene, you and your healthcare provider can work together on a plan to help you stay healthy. “That could be through the use of medicine or lifestyle changes,” says Dr. Pulakanti.

Manage blood pressure

Checking your blood pressure at home is an excellent way to keep an eye on your health. And if you do notice an increase, your healthcare provider can help you identify ways to lower your numbers.

Maintain a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight has a lot of benefits. But did you know it can help you lower your risk of stroke? “Being overweight is linked to higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can increase stroke risk,” Dr. Pulakanti notes. Adopt these healthy habits to maintain a healthy weight level:

Eat a balanced diet
Exercise regularly
Limit alcohol
Avoid processed foods

Other things you can do to keep your risk level low?

Don’t smoke, or quit if you do
Reduce stress
Get enough rest

Check in with your healthcare provider

To help lower your risk of a stroke, even if you have a family history, start with your healthcare provider. Through regular checkups, they can keep an eye on changes in your health. This can help stop something before it starts. And you know what they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.