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Simple Lifestyle Modifications May Slash Stroke Risk

Large-scale study identifies ten leading risk factors that may account for 90% of risk of stroke.

Researchers involved in the Interstroke study, Involving 22 countries, find that ten leading risk factors may account for 90% of risk of stroke.  Comparing the lifestyle of 3,000 stroke patients with a matched group of 3,000 healthy counterparts (serving as the control group), Martin J O’Donnell, from McMaster University (Ontario, Canada), and colleagues observed that high blood pressure, smoking, a fat stomach, poor diet and lack of exercise accounted for 80% of stroke cases.  Five additional factors of diabetes, excess alcohol, stress and depression, heart disorders and the presence of apolipoproteins in the blood were found to account for 10% additional stroke cases. Noting that many of the risk factors coincide with those linked to heart attack risk, the team concludes that: “Our findings suggest that ten risk factors are associated with 90% of the risk of stroke. Targeted interventions that reduce blood pressure and smoking, and promote physical activity and a healthy diet, could substantially reduce the burden of stroke.”

Martin J O'Donnell, Denis Xavier, Lisheng Liu, Hongye Zhang, Siu Lim Chin, Purnima Rao-Melacini, et. Al.  “Risk factors for ischaemic and intracerebral haemorrhagic stroke in 22 countries (the INTERSTROKE study): a case-control study.”  The Lancet , June 18, 2010.

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