Stroke could be caused either by bleeding in the brain, which known as cerebral haemorrhage, or by blockage of an artery that supplies blood to the brain, which named as cerebral infarction. The later is often caused by atherosclerosis, a common seen heart disease, a condition that the build-up of fatty plaques in arteries that inhibit blood flow.
In fact, studies reveal that excess body weight is a risk factor for stroke. So, enroll into a program for weight loss if you are obese and want to reduce the above risk.
Stroke Risk for Men
Studies indicated that men who are obese are twice as likely as their leaner peers to suffer from stroke risk. A study from Archives of Internal Medicine, 2001 revealed that for each additional point increase in BMI over 25 (ie for every weight gain of 6 to 7 pounds), the risk of stroke rose 6%.
It is not clear from the report how BMI affects stroke risk. However, some data suggest that higher blood levels of compounds that are associated with clotting in overweight individuals may be to blame. Thus, you might need to consider to join a program for weight loss if you are obese.
Stroke Risk for Women
Women who are obese or who have gained more than 44 pounds (20kg) since they were 18 years old are about 2 times more likely to suffer ischaemic stroke than lean women who have not gained a lot of weight. This study is from Journal of the American Medical Association and ischaemic stroke is a stroke caused by the blockage of a blood vessel in the brain or neck.
Another study from Stroke, 2002 revealed that obesity itself damaged blood vessels, even in the absence of high blood pressure and other known risk factors for artery disease. Therefore, you need to consider joining a healthy program for weight loss if you are obese.
Besides, in a research of middle-aged Italian women, obesity was directly related to thickening of the carotid arteries, the large vessels in the neck that deliver blood to the brain. Such thickening increases the risk of stroke and is an early sign of disease in other arteries, including those that supply the blood to the heart.
Avoid Stroke if You Can
Since various studies show that obesity increases stroke risk, it is advisable to look for a healthy program for weight loss if you are overweight or obese. Besides maintaining healthy life style and having right exercise, you can always find a buddy whenever going for a weight loss program.
Minimize the stroke risk if you care about yourself and your family.
