AHA/ASA volunteer expert Larry B. Goldstein, M.D. offers perspective (via Skype) on ISC 19 abstract 9. He is the Ruth L. Works Professor, the Chairman of the Department of Neurology and Co-Director of the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute in Lexington, KY. copyright American Heart Association "Of the things that we can do things about, some are related to lifestyle. For example, not exercising, being overweight, being able to follow a healthy diet. Those are some of the behavioral things along with things that we take in. Excess alcohol consumption and smoking. One of the things that, again, this study raises concern about is that it may be e-cigarette smoke, it will, as well as combustible tobacco smoke that may increase risk. Then there are medical conditions that increase risk. Again, things that people can do things about. High blood pressure is the most important single treatable risk factor for stroke, which you don't know you have unless your blood pressure is checked. Having an irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, that irregular beating of the upper chambers of the heart that can lead to clot formation. That risk can be significantly reduced with medications. For some types of stroke and in some situations, having high cholesterol can increase risk. Diabetes; another medical condition increases risk. Though if you think about it, knowing the factors that put you at an increased risk, even if you can't do anything about them, that's important because it means you need to really emphasize anything you can do to reduce your stroke risk. Then you have the lifestyle factors. The things that we mentioned including now potentially avoiding e-cigarettes. And then in addition to that we have the medical conditions. Things that you need a healthcare provider to help with to try to reduce risk."