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d. Race/Ethnicity

According to research, including a study by Nawata (2020), certain

racial and ethnic groupings, such as African Americans and

Hispanics, have a higher risk of stroke than other populations. This
health gap emphasises the necessity of acknowledging the distinct

causes that contribute to these populations' greater risk.

ii. Modifiable Risk Factors

Modifiable risk factors are those that can be reduced or eliminated by

lifestyle changes or medical interventions. Among the most important
modifiable risk factors for stroke are:

a. Hypertension

Also known as high blood pressure, it is the most frequent risk

factor for stroke, accounting for around 78.51% of stroke patients

based on research conducted by Chen et al. (2022). Hypertension
raises the risk of stroke by putting extra strain on blood vessels,

causing them to thicken and narrow. This can cause blood clots to
develop or weakened blood vessels to rupture, both of which can

lead to an ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke.

b. Diabetes

Diabetes increases the risk of stroke through a variety of methods.

For starters, uncontrolled diabetes can cause blood vessel damage
and narrowing, leaving them more vulnerable to blockages or

ruptures. This raises the risk of both ischemic and haemorrhagic
stroke.

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