Ferroptosis is a new non-apoptotic form of regulatory cell death, which is characterized by intracellular iron overload and excessive accumulation of lipid peroxides and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ferroptosis is closely related to intracellular iron, amino acid, and lipid metabolism disorders. Ferroptosis is increasingly recognized as an important process mediating the pathogenesis and progression of acute ischemic stroke, and it can be involved in influencing acute ischemic stroke and acute ischemic stroke risk factors atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of ferroptosis regulation in different diseases may have significant implications for the preventive treatment and improvement of prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke and patients with risk factors for acute ischemic stroke. This article reviews not only the specific important mechanisms of ferroptosis in the development of acute ischemic stroke, but also the relevant associations between risk factors for acute ischemic stroke and ferroptosis, and describes the current limitations and future directions of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke and its risk factors.