Risk factors are traits which can increase disease risk. In the case of ischemic stroke, risk factors have important roles in primary prevention, clinical practice, and epidemiological research. However, the underlying models, methods, and suited study design are often unknown. Based on interventions, cohort studies, case control studies, and meta-analyses, we give an up-to-date overall survey of the most important established and modifiable risk factors in the primary prevention of ischemic stroke. Each risk factor was assessed using a uniform pattern and systematically analyzed according to intervention type, evidence level, risk reduction, and prevalence.