Researchers Identify Five Lifestyle Factors Linked to Reduced Stroke Risk in Women
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Jochen Sands/Digital Vision/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A new study identified five low-risk lifestyle factors linked to reduced risk of stroke in women.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, named a healthy diet, moderate alcohol consumption, never smoking, engaging in physical activity and a body mass index below 25 as being connected with reduced risk of stroke. The more of those five factors women adhered to within the study, the lower their risk of stroke became, researchers said.
The study looked at data from nearly 32,000 Swedish women. Researchers said that women who were able to abide by all five characteristics lowered the risk of total stroke by over 50 percent.
The healthy lifestyle even lowered stroke risk in women with diseases typically linked to stokes, such as high blood cholesterol and hypertension.
Researchers classified healthy diet as being within the top 50 percent of a recommended food score measuring frequency of eating healthy foods, physical activity as walking or biking for 40 minutes per day and one hour of vigorous activity per week and moderate alcohol consumption as three to nine drinks per week.
Hemorrhagic strokes, which represent 15 percent of all strokes, were not, however, found to be reduced by following lifestyle guidelines.
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