429fa52b_ke_Campaign___strokechallenges__What_you_can_do
[Risk factor] Hypertension Hypertension causes a two-to four-fold increase in the risk of stroke before age 80. after age 80, the impact of hypertension declines and other risk factors become more important. [Why it affects stroke risk] Hypertension promotes atherosclerosis and causes mechanical damage to the walls of blood vessels. [What you can do] 
blood pressure medications, such as thiazide diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme (aCe) inhibitors, can reduce the risk of stroke by 30 to 40 percent. early treatment is essential. among older people with normal blood pressure, prior mid-life hypertension increases stroke risk up to 92 percent. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a target blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg.
NINDS Know Stroke Campaign - strokechallenges
What you can do