Obesity increases risk of recurrent stroke

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

In a study of African-American stroke survivors, obesity increased the risk of having another stroke.
We already know that African-Americans are more at risk of stroke than their white counterparts and may have a worse outcome. A report from a stroke prevention study analyzed by the University of Illinois now points to obesity as being a strong risk factor for recurrent stroke in this group.

The study looked at body mass index in a group of 1,711 stroke survivors. They found that, overall, 76 per cent of the patients were overweight or obese. And nearly 20 per cent of women aged under 55 in the group were morbidly obese, with a body mass index of more than 40. For men in that age group, seven per cent were morbidly obese.

It looks as if obesity increases risk factors for stroke, like diabetes and high blood pressure. Clearly someone who survives a stroke has much to gain if they work towards getting to a healthy weight.

Source
Archives of Neurology March 2005 Volume 62 pages 386-390

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