Myth: You can't prevent strokes

Some of the key stroke risk factors:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Poor diet
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity

All of these risk factors are under your control - at least to a degree, often a large degree.

Smoking? Stop. Now. If you have a history of high blood pressure - the highest stroke risk factor - perhaps the factors of poor diet, physical activity and obesity would be involved. Diabetes, too, can play into these other factors.

And yes, you can prevent a stroke. Like all in the human condition, there are no guarantees. However, you can definitely improve your odds. 

See a doctor. Address the risk factors that fit your profile. You are too important to ignore these risks. Yes, there are other risk factors that are out of your control. But control what you can - it can save your life.