Regardless of race, most people with a strong family history or heart disease or stroke have at least one other risk factor
. Control your risk factors if you can, and manage your stress. Increased stress can lead you to overeating or having that extra cigarette and other activities that increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. It is also true that a previous heart attack or stroke can make us susceptible to another stroke. To learn more, go to www.americanheart.org.