Study shows the more dietary antioxidants the lower the risk of stroke.

The higher the intake of antioxidants in Swedish women, the lower the chance of stroke. Women with no history of cardiovascular disease at baseline showed a 17% lower risk of stroke when they consumed the highest amounts antioxidant-rich foods compared with the lowest amounts. In women with cardiovascular disease, those consuming the most antioxidant foods experienced a 57% reduction in stroke risk compared to those eating the least.

PositiveTip: Fruits and vegetables are the richest source of dietary antioxidants. Consume plenty of them each day.

Harvard freshman with pre-hypertension had higher risk in later life.

Men enrolling at Harvard between 1914 and 1952 who reported elevated systolic blood pressure their freshman year experienced a 20% greater risk for coronary heart disease later in life. Those diagnosed with hypertension in middle age had twice the risk of coronary deaths and stroke compared to those with normal blood pressures.

PositiveTip: Have you had your blood pressure checked recently? Get it taken even if you are young!

Observational data suggests chocolate may protect cardiovascular system.

A meta-analysis of seven observational studies with 115,000 adult participants compared the lowest level of chocolate consumption with the highest intakes. Those eating the most had nearly a one-third decrease in risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. The authors caution that most forms of chocolate contain high amounts of fat and sugar, and more esperimental research is necessary to prove causation.

PositiveTip: Think twice before you indulge in your favorite chocolates "for your hearts sake". Most forms of these products are very high in calories!

Physical inactivity is high stakes game.

After analysing the lifestyle habit data in several large studies, researchers have found that those who were physically inactive doubled their risk of ischemic heart disease, experienced 72% increased risk of ischemic stroke, a 52% higher risk of breast cancer, and an 80% increase in colon cancer risk.

PositiveTip: Exercise is a great way to reduce your risk of illness and disease. Start a physical activity program today! It will reduce your risks and give you a brighter outlook. 

Taking calcium supplements may pose increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

A reanalysis of just over half of the women in the Women's Health Initiative Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation Study has found a modest increased risk of myocardial infarction and stoke in those taking calcium supplements with or without Vitamin D.These researchers also found no relation between the dose of supplements being taken, and cited evidence from several other studies that support their findings. This data questions the assumption that a supplement won't hurt and might help. 

PositiveTip: Eating calcium-rich foods, exposure to adequate sunlight, and ample physical exercise may be the safest course to strengthen bones.

The greater the neighborhood social cohesion the lower the fatal stroke risk.

Using individual's perceptions of social cohesiveness in their neighborhoods, researchers found that the higher the neighborhood-level social cohesion the lower the risk of fatal strokes. The better the knowledge of, and interactions with the neighbors, the lower the risk of dying from a stroke. Strangely, social cohesiveness had no impact on the number of strokes, nor did it alter the fatality rates among black residents.

PositiveTip: While more research is needed, having good relations with the neighbors certainly yields many benefits beyond fatal strokes.

Exposure to noise from residential road traffic is connected with higher stroke risk.

Living in noisy environments appears to predict higher stroke risk, according to Danish researchers. Risk rose a significant 14% for every 10 dB increase in residential exposure to traffic noise and nearly doubled among those over 65 years old (possibly because it might disturb their sleep). These effects remained significant in this observational study even after controlling for blood pressure and antihypertensive medication use. (Each 10 dB increase nearly doubles "loudness".) 

PositiveTip: Whenever possible, retreat to a quiet noise-free place for thinking and sleeping.

Young people have more ischemic strokes than in the past.

Ischemic strokes in young people under age 35 are dramatically increasing according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Hospitalizations in males aged 15 to 34 increased by over 50% between 1994 and 2007, and among women by 17%. The reasons for this increase are not clear. Perhaps better detection is a part, but the role of obesity and hypertension in this age group must not be overlooked.

PositiveTip: Young people should choose a lifestyle that controls blood pressure and maintains healthy weight.

Ten hours or more of sleep per night raises women's risk of stroke by 63%.

Analysis of data from the Harvard Nurses' Health Study has revealed that women who sleep 10 hours or more a night are 63% more likely to suffer a stroke over a 20 year period than those getting 7-8 hours of sleep.

Women who got 6 or fewer hours of sleep per night also had an elevated risk of stroke, but it was not statistically significant. Investigators do not know why this occurs, but suggest extra sleep may be a marker for some other causal factor.

PositiveTip: Adequate sleep for most people is probably in the 7.5-8.5 hour per night range. Are you getting enough?