Unhealthy lifestyle can increase stroke risk

UK, February 21: A latest U.K. report has suggested that unhealthy lifestyles can double the probability of a stroke.

The risk of getting affected by a stroke increases if a person smokes or drinks alcohol in excess. Lack of physical activity and consumption of fewer vegetables and fruits can also be contributing factors.

For the study purposes, 20,000 adults were taken into account. It was found that only a small segment of these people had good enough lifestyles to guard against any such condition.

Earlier studies have shown that lifestyle patterns like smoking and diet are linked with the risk of heart attack and stroke. But the effect of a combination of risk factors in healthy people has not been clear enough so far.

In the current study, which was led by the University of East Anglia, researchers awarded one point for every “healthy behaviour” as told by the participants. The age of the participants ranged from 40 to 79.

One point each was awarded to the people who did not smoke. Also, one point was given to those who consumed only one to 14 units of alcohol per week. One point was given to those people who ate five portions of fruits and veggies per day and one point was awarded for being physically active.

The noticeable thing was that quite a higher percentage of women scored a maximum of four as compared to the men who were a part of the study.

Also, it was discovered that participants who got zero points had 2.3 times increased risk of having a stroke in the 11- year follow-up. This was in comparison to those who had scored four points.

For every single point reduction in the scores, there was an increase in the probability of a stroke, the researchers reported.

Around 259 people did not score any points. Out of these, 15 had a stroke. Three was scored by 7,822 people and out of these 186 people had a stroke. On the other hand, almost 5000 participants scored four. This means an absolute stroke risk of only 1.7 percent.

The researchers have expressed concerns regarding the new findings as they suggest that minimal changes in lifestyle can affect stroke risk.

Study leader Dr. Phyo Myint was quoted as saying, “Over the study period we observed six people for every 100 participants who had no health behaviours suffered a stroke compared to about one to two people for every 100 participants who had four positive health behaviours.”

He further added, “Together with the substantial existing body of evidence about modifiable behaviours and stroke risk, this may provide further encouragement to make entirely feasible changes which have the potential to have a major impact on stroke.”

The latest article has been published in the British Medical Journal.