What are the 10 most common preventable behaviours and traits associated with stroke risk?
Stroke-related deaths and disabilities worldwide would be dramatically cut if we targeted ten preventable behaviours and traits, say researchers.
A new study, which for the first time draws on Australian data, has identified ten potentially modifiable risk factors that account for 90% of strokes worldwide. But the authors say regional variations should be considered in assessing treatment options.
The ten factors are (in order of significance):
1 – Previous history of hypertension or blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher
2 – Regular physical activity
3 – Apolipoprotein (Apo)B/ApoA1 ratio (84% increased risk for highest vs lowest tertile)
4 – Diet
5 – Waist-to-hip ratio (44% increased risk for highest vs lowest tertile)
6 – Psychosocial factors
7 – Current smoking
8 – Cardiac causes
9 – Alcohol consumption (more than two times greater risk for high or heavy episodic intake vs never or former drinker)
10 – Diabetes mellitus
The study was published in The Lancet
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