A recent study has highlighted the significant risks associated with carrying excess weight during adolescence and early adulthood, particularly for women.
According to the findings, women who are overweight or obese in their teenage years or early 30s face a markedly higher risk of experience a stroke by the time they reach middle age.
This study, which followed over 10,000 individuals for more than four decades, provides crucial insights into how body mass index (BMI) at key stages of life influences long-term health outcomes, especially in terms of stroke risk.
The study specifically examined the participants’ BMI at the ages of 14 and 31, tracking whether being overweight or obese during these life stages was linked to an increased likelihood of suffering a stroke before the age of 55. Throughout the study period, 452 participants experienced a stroke.
The majority of these cases were ischemic strokes, which occur when clots obstructed blood flow to the brain, or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), often referred to as “ministrokes.” TIAs happen when blood flow to the brain is briefly interrupted by clots that either dissolve or become dislodged after a few minutes.
One of the most striking findings was the heightened risk among women. The study revealed that women who were obese at the age of 14 were 87% more likely to suffer from an ischemic stroke or TIA by middle age. This risk escalated even further for women who were obese at the age of 31, with a 167% higher likelihood of experiencing such strokes compared to their counterparts with healthier BMIs.
Interestingly, the study did not find a similar association between obesity at these ages and ischemic stroke risk among men, highlighting a potential gender disparity in how excess weight impacts stroke risk.
“Women who are overweight as teens or young adults have an increased risk of stroke in middle age because excess weight can lead to health problems that damage blood vessels over time,” explains Ursula Mikkola, the lead author of the study and a population health researcher at the University of Oulu in Finland.
Mikkola’s statement underscores the long-term consequences of carrying excess weight, particularly for women, as it can contribute to a range of health issues that ultimately increase the risk of stroke.
The Connection Between Obesity and Stroke Risk
The connection between obesity and stroke risk is primarily rooted in the chronic inflammation that excess weight causes in the body. This inflammation can lead to damage in the blood vessels over time, increasing the likelihood of a stroke.
Additionally, individuals who are overweight or obese are more susceptible to other stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, and high cholesterol. If these conditions are left unmanaged over an extended period, the risk of stroke becomes significantly higher.
“These conditions can cause damage to blood vessels that can lead to stroke,” says Carolyn Cronin, MD, PhD, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the medical director of the Maryland Young Stroke Center in Baltimore.
Dr. Cronin, who was not involved in the study, further explains that the damage to blood vessels typically accumulates gradually over time, which is why stroke risk increases as individuals age.
While the study did not aim to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between excess weight and stroke, nor did it explore why the risk might vary between men and women, Dr. Mikkola suggests that hormonal differences could be a contributing factor. Hormonal changes that women experience during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause might influence how excess weight affects their bodies and contributes to stroke risk.
Prevention May Lie in Treating Stroke Risk Factors
The findings from this study emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, particularly for women, to mitigate the risk of stroke later in life. For those who are already carrying excess weight, it may be worth considering weight loss interventions, such as medications or surgical options, especially if other stroke risk factors are present.
“It is important to live the best heart-healthy lifestyle you can,” advises Nishant Shah, MD, an assistant professor of cardiology at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, who was not involved in the study.
Dr. Shah stresses that protecting cardiovascular health is crucial for preventing the blood vessel damage that can lead to strokes.
Prevention measures that can reduce the risk of both heart attacks and strokes include regular screening and treatment for high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and high blood sugar.
Larry Goldstein, MD, a professor and chair of neurology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, who was also not involved in the study, highlights the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle to lower stroke risk.
“Stroke risk can be reduced by identifying risk factors and following a healthy lifestyle, such as getting regular exercise, following a healthy diet such as a Mediterranean type diet, not smoking and avoiding environmental tobacco smoke, not consuming alcohol to excess, and getting adequate sleep,” Dr. Goldstein says.
Recommended For You
