BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, but there are many steps patients can take to reduce their odds of stroke presuming they can see it coming.

New research has shown that knowing a person's family history of stroke is an important factor in determining their own risk.

Doctors from Boston University studied more than 3,000 people participating in a long-running health study that spans multiple generations. They found that adults whose parents had suffered a stroke were more likely to have one themselves, particularly if the parent had a stroke at a young age.

Those whose parents experienced a stroke before age 65 were four times as likely to suffer a stroke themselves by age 65.

If a person has a history of strokes in their family, they should let their doctor know. There are lifestyle modifications a person can make to reduce their risk, such as increasing the amount of exercise they get or quitting smoking.

Doctors can also prescribe medications -- such as a blood thinner -- that can cut the odds of stroke substantially.