Stroke risk is assessed from measurable factors: blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, weight and activity, alongside age, family history and any previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Most of the important ones are modifiable. Blood pressure carries the most weight and is the one most often left partly treated, because it causes no symptoms and readings drift.
Stroke risk is assessed from measurable factors: blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, weight and activity, alongside age, family history and any previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Most of the important ones are modifiable. Blood pressure carries the most weight and is the one most often left partly treated, because it causes no symptoms and readings drift.
High blood pressure carries the most weight and is the one most often partly treated, because it causes no symptoms and readings drift. Knowing your actual numbers rather than assuming they are controlled because you take a tablet is the practical version of this. Atrial fibrillation raises risk markedly and is highly treatable once identified, which is why an irregular pulse deserves investigation. Then smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, physical inactivity, excess weight, heavy alcohol use and untreated sleep apnoea.
Age is the largest single non-modifiable factor. Family history matters but does not determine the outcome. A previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack puts you in a considerably higher risk category and shifts the emphasis to secondary prevention, which is more intensive. Certain conditions, including sickle cell disease and some clotting disorders, also contribute. None of these is a reason for fatalism, because the modifiable factors remain modifiable regardless.
Blood pressure measured properly and repeatedly, pulse checked for irregularity, blood tests for glucose and cholesterol, and a review of medications and family history. Where atrial fibrillation is suspected, prolonged heart rhythm monitoring may be arranged. Where a stroke or transient event has already occurred, vascular studies are used: transcranial Doppler is performed at both CNS offices, while carotid ultrasound is arranged at an imaging facility since these offices have no imaging suite.
Clinical Neurology Specialists has been physician-owned since 1998, when Leo Germin, M.D., FAANEM founded it. Five board-certified neurologists and four advanced practice providers see patients at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices, each with its own AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Clinical Neurology Specialists is an adult outpatient neurology practice for patients 18 and older. The practice performs no surgery and operates no imaging suite, infusion suite or interventional pain programme, and provides no emergency or inpatient care.
Physician-reviewed. Reviewed by the physicians of Clinical Neurology Specialists — board-certified neurologists, AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratories, physician-owned since 1998. Reviewed 1 August 2026. This article is general education for adults 18 and older and is not a substitute for a consultation.
Sources and further reading: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine; MedlinePlus: carotid artery disease.
Adults 18 and older, at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices. Call 702-804-1212 or request an appointment online.