Stroke Risk Runs in the Family

Study found if parent had brain attack by 65, chances of same quadrupled for their children

(HealthDay News) — If your mother or father had a stroke by the time they were 65, your chances of also having a stroke by that age are increased fourfold, U.S. researchers report.

There are many risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, obesity and smoking. These risks factors can be changed, but family history cannot, they added.

“Know your family and parents’ medical history as accurately as you can. And remember family history may not be modifiable, but it acts superimposed on other risk factors,” said lead researcher Dr. Sudha Seshadri, an associate professor at Boston University School of Medicine.

“Parental stroke occurrence should, we believe, be included in predicting a person’s stroke risk,” she added.

The report is published March 8 in the online edition of Circulation.

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