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Lifestyle link to stroke
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that people who smoked, drank too much and ate fatty foods were 2.3 times more likely to suffer a stroke within the 11 years of the programme than those who ate plenty of fruit and vegetables and took regular exercise.
Although the link between poor eating habits and an increased risk of heart problems has long been known, the research found a person's lifestyle increased the risk of stroke even in apparently healthy people.
The researchers gave people 'health behaviour points' for good lifestyle choices, such as not smoking and getting regular exercise.
"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," said Dr Phyo Myint, who led the programme.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health launched a campaign to highlight the importance of looking out for the symptoms of stroke.
Its 'Act FAST' campaign emphasised that swift emergency action can help to limit the damage to the brain caused by a stroke.
24 February 2009
People who have unhealthy lifestyles are more than twice as likely to suffer a stroke than those who eat well and exercise, new research has claimed.The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that people who smoked, drank too much and ate fatty foods were 2.3 times more likely to suffer a stroke within the 11 years of the programme than those who ate plenty of fruit and vegetables and took regular exercise.
Although the link between poor eating habits and an increased risk of heart problems has long been known, the research found a person's lifestyle increased the risk of stroke even in apparently healthy people.
The researchers gave people 'health behaviour points' for good lifestyle choices, such as not smoking and getting regular exercise.
"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," said Dr Phyo Myint, who led the programme.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health launched a campaign to highlight the importance of looking out for the symptoms of stroke.
Its 'Act FAST' campaign emphasised that swift emergency action can help to limit the damage to the brain caused by a stroke.
© Adfero Ltd. This news story was brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim.
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