Calculate Risk of Stroke

Stroke Risk Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate your potential risk of stroke based on several common risk factors. Please note that this calculator provides a simplified, illustrative assessment and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and personalized risk assessment.

function calculateStrokeRisk() { var age = parseFloat(document.getElementById('age').value); var systolicBP = parseFloat(document.getElementById('systolicBP').value); var sexMale = document.getElementById('sexMale').checked; var diabetes = document.getElementById('diabetes').checked; var smoking = document.getElementById('smoking').checked; var afib = document.getElementById('afib').checked; var prevStrokeTIA = document.getElementById('prevStrokeTIA').checked; var highCholesterol = document.getElementById('highCholesterol').checked; var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result'); resultDiv.innerHTML = "; // Clear previous results // Input validation if (isNaN(age) || age 120) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid age between 18 and 120.'; return; } if (isNaN(systolicBP) || systolicBP 200) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid systolic blood pressure between 80 and 200 mmHg.'; return; } var riskScore = 0; // Age points if (age >= 80) { riskScore += 4; } else if (age >= 70) { riskScore += 3; } else if (age >= 60) { riskScore += 2; } else if (age >= 50) { riskScore += 1; } // Systolic Blood Pressure points if (systolicBP >= 160) { riskScore += 3; } else if (systolicBP >= 140) { riskScore += 2; } else if (systolicBP >= 120) { riskScore += 1; } // Sex points (simplified) if (sexMale) { riskScore += 1; } // Diabetes points if (diabetes) { riskScore += 1; } // Smoking points if (smoking) { riskScore += 1; } // Atrial Fibrillation points if (afib) { riskScore += 2; } // Previous Stroke/TIA points if (prevStrokeTIA) { riskScore += 3; } // High Cholesterol points if (highCholesterol) { riskScore += 1; } var riskLevel = "; var illustrativePercentage = 0; var maxPossibleScore = 17; // 4 (age) + 3 (BP) + 1 (sex) + 1 (diabetes) + 1 (smoking) + 2 (AFib) + 3 (prev stroke) + 1 (cholesterol) if (riskScore <= 3) { riskLevel = 'Low'; illustrativePercentage = Math.round((riskScore / maxPossibleScore) * 100 * 0.5); // Scale down for low risk } else if (riskScore <= 7) { riskLevel = 'Moderate'; illustrativePercentage = Math.round((riskScore / maxPossibleScore) * 100 * 0.8); // Scale for moderate } else if (riskScore 100) { illustrativePercentage = 100; } resultDiv.innerHTML = '

Your Estimated Stroke Risk:

' + 'Based on the information provided, your calculated risk score is: ' + riskScore + '.' + 'This corresponds to a ' + riskLevel + ' risk level.' + 'Your illustrative percentage risk over a 10-year period is approximately: ' + illustrativePercentage + '%.' + 'Disclaimer: This calculator provides a simplified, illustrative assessment of stroke risk based on common factors. It is not a diagnostic tool and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis, personalized risk assessment, and management plan.'; }

Understanding Stroke Risk

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. This can lead to long-term disability or even death. Understanding and managing your risk factors is crucial for prevention.

What is a Stroke?

There are two main types of stroke:

• Ischemic stroke: This is the most common type, accounting for about 87% of all strokes. It occurs when blood vessels to the brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow (ischemia). Blocked blood vessels are usually caused by blood clots.
• Hemorrhagic stroke: This type occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. Brain hemorrhages can result from several conditions that affect your blood vessels, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, overtreatment with blood thinners, and aneurysms (weak spots in your blood vessel walls).

A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), often called a "mini-stroke," is a temporary period of symptoms similar to those you'd have in a stroke. A TIA doesn't cause permanent damage, but it's often a warning sign of a future stroke.

Key Risk Factors for Stroke

Many factors can increase your risk of stroke. Some are modifiable (you can change them), while others are non-modifiable (you cannot change them). This calculator focuses on several common and impactful risk factors:

• Age: The risk of stroke increases significantly with age, particularly after age 55.
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): This is the most significant risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure damages blood vessels, making them more likely to narrow, rupture, or form clots.
• Sex: Men generally have a higher risk of stroke at younger ages, but women have more strokes overall and are more likely to die from them.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.
• Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels, thickens blood, and increases plaque buildup in arteries, all of which contribute to stroke risk.
• Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): This irregular heartbeat condition can cause blood to pool in the heart, forming clots that can travel to the brain and cause an ischemic stroke.
• Previous Stroke or TIA: Having had a stroke or TIA significantly increases your risk of having another one.
• High Cholesterol: High levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol can contribute to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries), increasing stroke risk.
• Other Factors: Other important risk factors not included in this simplified calculator include obesity, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, certain heart diseases, and family history of stroke.

How This Calculator Works (Simplified Scoring)

This calculator assigns points based on the presence and severity of selected risk factors. For example, older age and higher blood pressure contribute more points to your overall risk score. The total score is then mapped to a qualitative risk level (Low, Moderate, High, Very High) and an illustrative percentage. This scoring system is a simplification for educational purposes and does not replicate complex medical risk assessment models.

Managing Your Stroke Risk

Many stroke risk factors can be managed or controlled through lifestyle changes and medical treatment. These include:

• Controlling blood pressure through diet, exercise, and medication.
• Managing diabetes with diet, exercise, and medication.
• Quitting smoking.
• Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Engaging in regular physical activity.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Managing cholesterol levels.
• Treating heart conditions like atrial fibrillation.

Important Disclaimer: This Stroke Risk Calculator is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It provides a simplified estimate of risk based on common factors and should not be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for professional medical advice. A healthcare professional can provide a comprehensive assessment of your individual stroke risk and recommend appropriate preventive strategies or treatments. If you have concerns about your stroke risk, please consult your doctor.