Daily Vitamina

Shocking: 9 out of 10 Strokes Are Preventable

Derrick
stroke

Each year approximately 795,000 people in the U.S have a stroke. It’s the number 1 killer of women and Hispanics are a high risk group, since they are more prone to developing other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. The unfortunate part is that 1 out of 9 strokes are preventable.

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A recent study found that there are 10 modifiable risk factors responsible for 9 out of 10 strokes around the world. The Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) at McMaster University and collaborators from around the world did a study called INTERSTROKE.

Researchers examined 26,000 men and women from 22 countries, both young and old from diverse populations. During the first phase of the study, there were 10 main risk factors that were identified. During the second phase, the researchers determined the percentage of strokes that would be reduced if each risk factor was eliminated. The results of both phases are below:

    1. Hypertension (48%)
    2. Physical inactivity and obesity (36%)
    3. Poor diet (19%)
    4. Smoking (12%)
    5. Heart issues, such as atrial fibrillation/irregular heart rhythm (9%)
    6. Diabetes (4%)
    7. Alcohol intake (6%)
    8. Stress (6%)
    9. Lipids (27%)


“We have confirmed the 10 modifiable risk factors associated with 90 percent of stroke cases in all regions, young and older and in men and women,” stated one of the lead researchers, Dr. Martin O’Donnell, a principal investigator for the PHRI and professor of translational medicine at HRB-Clinical Research Facility, NUI Galway. “The study also confirms that hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor in all regions, and the key target in reducing the burden of stroke globally.”

Each risk factor varied differently by region, but all risk factors similarly affected people across the board. When all 10 risk factors were combined together, they found that these are responsible for 91% of strokes.

“The regional differences between populations is partly explained by genetics, but can be further helped or hurt by lifestyle choices,” says Dr. Melvin Wichter, a neurologist affiliated with Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Neurosciences Institute. “Diet, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, diabetes and smoking all lead to heart disease, which in turn causes stroke.”

“The risk factors outlined in the article have universal application for all populations worldwide,” says Dr. Wichter. “The estimate that more than 90 percent of strokes could be eliminated if these risks could be reduced is profoundly important for the health of all people.”

Making healthier lifestyle choices can prevent you from developing these conditions, which put you at risk for stroke and heart disease.

American Heart Association: 1 in 3 Americans Die From Heart Disease

 

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