Researchers used census data from 49 states, looking at ages and stroke rates. What they found was

The rate of death related to stroke was 74 per 100,000 for people who were born in the stroke belt and lived there in the year 2000, but only 47 per 100,000 for people who were neither born in the stroke belt nor lived there in the year 2000, although this inequality partially reflects differences in age and race.

This part is very interesting, but then things become predictable. The authors wrote that this increased risk likely has a lot to do with lifestyle, meaning diet, sedentary lifestyles, and other socioeconomic factors, something that has been known for a long time already.

What research like this does is that it allows health authorities to target areas that they know are higher risk – and as early as possible, knowing that the risk begins in childhood.

The article was published in the December 1, 2009, issue of the journal Neurology.

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Image: PhotoXpress.com

Post from: Blisstree

Stroke Belt Residents Have Higher Risk

The rash caused by the shingles follows along a nerve line in the body, so you could have it along the belt line, but only on one side, for example. Some people have it on the face and near the eye – again only on one side – while others may have it around their ear. The blisters vary from being very painful to being very itchy and, at the same time, you feel tired and sick from the virus. All in all, it’s a very unpleasant illness.

After the shingles rash has healed, many people develop something called post herpetic neuralgia, which is nerve pain that is felt along the nerve where the shingles rash was earlier. Not everyone gets this, but it is a known after effect of shingles.

Now, researchers have found another after effect that can touch many people who have had shingles. After studying 7,760 patients 18 years and older (average age 47 years) who received shingles treatment and comparing them with over 23,000 peers who hadn’t had shingles, researchers found that while 1.3% of those who hadn’t had shingles had a stroke within the following year, 1.7% of those who had shingles did. This is a 31% increase in risk.

The researchers also found that if the shingles infection was around the eye and the eye itself, the risk for stroke increased even more.

It’s not understood why the stroke risk is higher, but this is a finding that bears further study so doctors may be able to identify patients who may be at higher risk for strokes.

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Image: Newscom.com

Post from: Blisstree

Higher Stroke Risk 1 Year After Shingles

Five percent of women had migraines once a week or more. These women were “four times as likely to have had a stroke” as women without migraines.

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Post from: Blisstree

Migraines and Stroke Risk

Are you more tempted to eat fast-food style if there’s a quick dining spot near your home?

If so, that could help explain recent findings.

New research presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2009 suggests that “the more fast-food restaurants in a neighborhood, the higher the stroke risk for area residents.”

People living in neighborhoods with the highest number of fast-food restaurants saw a 13% higher relative risk of suffering ischemic strokes, compared with those living in places with the lowest numbers of these restaurants.

However, the study didn’t prove a relationship between eating fast foods and increased risk of stroke. In other words, no cause and effect. Even so, what a coincidence, right? Maybe not!

Is it time to re-consider your convenience dining habits?

(Image via stock.xchng)

Post from: Blisstree

Fast-Food Restaurants Too Tempting?