Stroke risk factors

1. How is a stroke differentiated from a TIA?
2. What are nonmodifiable risk factors for CVA?
3. Is obesity correlated to CVA?
4. What are modifiable risk factors for CVA?

Answer:
1. TIA lasts less than 24hrs, stroke lasts more than 24 hrs.
2. Age (more important risk factor), sex (M>F), race (black > white > Asian), family history.
3. No.
4. HTN, history of CVA/TIA, heart disease (CHF, CAD, a fib, valvular disease), diabetes (good BS control does not alter risk), smoking, carotid stenosis, EtOH, cocaine, high-dose estrogens, hypercoagulable states, hyperlipidemia, migraines, OSA, PFO.