5/10/2007 - Stroke risk higher for siblings of people who had a stroke Having a sibling who had a stroke could nearly double your own risk for a stroke, new research shows. The study, which was presented during the American Academy of Neurology’s 59th Annual Meeting, involved 897 siblings of 181 people who had strokes in Nueces County, Texas. Nearly 60 percent of those with strokes were Mexican American. The rest were non-Hispanic Caucasians. All were between 45 and 65 years old. Researchers found that siblings of people who have had strokes face roughly double the risk of average Americans of also having a stroke. The risk was even greater for Mexican Americans.The results may indicate a higher genetic risk for strokes among Mexican Americans, or higher risk due to shared lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and smoking habits, researchers said. Medical conditions that tend to run in families, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, also may play a role, said study author Lynda D. Lisabeth, Ph.D."People of all ethnicities should be aware that strokes tend to cluster in families," she added. "They need to know the warning signs, since treatment must be given within three hours of when the symptoms begin." According to the American Stroke Association, warning signs of stroke can include sudden: Severe headache with no know cause. Unexplained dizziness, trouble walking or loss of coordination. Difficulty speaking or understanding speech. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg—especially on one side of the body. Call 911 right away if you notice any of these signs in yourself or another person. Back