Are Strokes Hereditary?

There is a common misconception that strokes are hereditary. For the most part, we don’t view them that way because there is not a specific genetic marker that causes strokes.

Instead, we find that stroke risk is often related to family tendencies. Families who share similar eating habits, activity levels and other health behaviors may also share many of the same risk factors.

People who have unhealthy lifestyle habits (such as poor diet, lack of exercise or other behaviors that contribute to atherosclerosis) are more likely to develop atherosclerotic disease. This can increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.