HOW TO PREDICT A STROKE

A physical exam is of minimal value strokes are caused by blocked blood vessels in the brain, (ischemic stroke) or by Ruptures in brains blood vessels ( hemorrhagic stroke ) symptoms are- sudden weakness or numbness to the face, arm, or leg usually on one side, loss of spech, trouble talking , or understanding speech , dimmnes or loss of vision ( especially in one eye ) unexplained dizziness , unsteadiness, frequent falls, or sudden severe headache.
High cholesterol is somewhat predicitive. An MRI tells you if someone is already having a stroke. The best predictor is a regular duplex carotid artery scanning and ankle brachial index,
tests up to 86% accuracy rate.



Source, Eric Braverman, MD.