New Study Claim 9 Out Of 10 Strokes Can Be Prevented

Stroke has been one of the many diseases known to be the leading cause death. A new study has revealed that 10 stroke risk factors have been identified around the world this year that account for 9 of 10 stroke cases, though they happen in different circumstances. Researchers also emphasized that treating hypertension could cut risk of stroke by half.

According to Nature World News, experts stressed that stroke is one of the leading cause of death and disability, particularly in low-income and middle-income groups. However, researchers from the McMaster University have found that 9 out of 10 stroke cases can be avoided if people are aware of the risks.           

"We have confirmed the ten modifiable risk factors associated with 90% of stroke cases in all regions, young and older and in men and women," Dr. Martin O'Donnell, principal investigator for the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) at McMaster University and study author, said in a news release.

Findings showed that hypertension is the leading cause of stroke. Experts claim that if people become more mindful of this fact and hypertension is addressed, the rate of stroke can be decreased by a whopping 48 percent, The Regal Tribune reported.

However, it was also emphasized by the study that risk of strokes came from many other factors which include high cholesterol 27 percent, stress 6 percent, alcohol consumption 6 percent, diabetes 4 percent, cardiac causes 9 percent, smoking 12 percent, poor diet 19 percent and lack of physical activity which is considered to be the highest risk factor at 36 percent.

Meanwhile, hngn.com reported experts clearly stating that these risk factors might be different based on the area. Example, Southeast Asia and Australia have a 60 percent risk of strokes brought about by hypertension, while North America and Western Europe have a 40 percent risk of the same risk factor. And the risk of stroke from not having enough physical activity is more prevalent in China.

"Our findings will inform the development of global population-level interventions to reduce stroke, and how such programs may be tailored to individual regions," said Dr. Salim Yusuf of the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster, co-author of the study and medicine professor at McMaster's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. "This includes better health education, more affordable healthy food, avoidance of tobacco and more affordable medication for hypertension and dyslipidaemia."

Dr. Yusuf also said that this information will be distributed throughout the world so people will be more aware of the modifiable risks of stroke.