10 Factors That Reduce 90 percent of Stroke Risk

There are many risk factors that can trigger a stroke. However, a recent study classifies 10 risk factors which, if avoided may reduce the risk by 90 percent.

According to Dailymail, the ten factors were identified when researchers from McMaster University studied 3,000 patients with stroke. Lifestyle of the patients are compared with 3,000 healthy people as a control.

The results showed, the first five risk factors play a role in 80 percent of cases of stroke. All five are high blood pressure, smoking, abdominal fat, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.

When added with the 5 next factor, the risk of stroke increased to 90 percent. The five other factors are diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, stress or depression, heart problems and weak blood molecule called apolipoprotein.

“With the discovery of these ten factors, interventions that target low blood pressure and less smoking habit, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet can reduce stroke risk substantially,” said Dr Martin O’Donnell who was involved in the study.

Stroke occurs when the brain deprived of oxygen. The most common type is ischemic stroke, which occurs when blood clots block blood flow to the brain. Can also be triggered by the outbreak of the blood vessels, causing bleeding in the brain (stroke hemoraghi).

Of all risk factors, high blood pressure is the most important factor, which causes one third of stroke cases. Compared with normal people, people with high blood pressure have 2.5 times greater risk of stroke.

The findings are published in the The Lancet journal.