Do Strokes Run in Families?

You know that your brain is a core part of your body. You might do crossword puzzles or eat certain foods to try to support your brain health. But there’s almost nothing you can do that’s better than protecting blood flow to your brain.

When that flow stops, you have a stroke. And even a mini-stroke should be taken seriously. That doesn’t just apply to the person who had the stroke, either. Their family members should also take steps to evaluate their own risk for stroke. 

Why? Because strokes can run in families. 

If a close family member recently had a stroke, talk to David Bolon, MD, here at Manhattan Integrative Cardiovascular in Midtown East Manhattan, New York City. As a specialist in stroke prevention, he can use tools like a carotid ultrasound and other cardiac screening to evaluate your risk for stroke. Here, he shares what can affect your stroke risk and what to do if you are at risk.

Determining your inherited stroke risk 

Several factors come into play when looking at a family’s stroke risk.

In some cases, a genetic disorder (like sickle cell disease or cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, or CADASIL) can increase the chances of having problems with blood flow to your brain.

It’s more common, though, for family risk to increase because of other factors. A common lifestyle — like a lack of physical activity or an unhealthy diet — might increase stroke risk across all family members. Habits like smoking might also be shared, bumping up everyone’s risk for stroke. 

Beyond that, other conditions that can run in families, from diabetes to high blood pressure, can also mean a higher stroke risk. 

All told, a lot comes into play when evaluating your likelihood of a stroke. But if a close family member has a stroke, and especially if that person is younger than 65, it’s worth seeing a specialist like Dr. Bolon to evaluate your specific risk level. 

What to do if you’re at risk

If you think you might be at risk because of family, lifestyle, or other factors, visit Dr. Bolon. At our office, he can perform a carotid ultrasound. This painlessly allows him to look at your carotid arteries, two key blood pathways to your brain. With the ultrasound, he can check your carotid arteries for blood-blocking buildup and other signs of damage. 

Beyond that, Dr. Bolon can use other tools to help you understand your stroke risk. And if it is high, he can help you develop a proactive plan to shrink your risk. From lifestyle changes to medication, a lot of tools are at your disposal to help you preserve blood flow to your brain. 

Remember: If a close family member had a stroke, your risk might increase. To learn more, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bolon by calling (716) 303-4738 or booking your appointment online today.