RISK-FACTORS FOR STROKE - LIFE-STYLE FACTORS

There is is increasing epidemiological evidence that certain lifestyle behaviours are risk factors for stroke. These include physical inacti vity; a diet high in salt and saturated fats end low in potassium, pol yunsaturated fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid), and fish oils; high a lcohol intake; and stressful life events. Other lifestyle risk factors for stroke appear to be obesity and lower socio-economic class. The e ffect of these lifestyle behaviours on stroke risk may be direct or in direct, by increasing blood pressure and blood cholesterol and alterin g blood coagulability. If information about lifestyle risk factors for stroke can be disseminated widely and healthy lifestyle behaviours ad opted by the whale population then it is possible that the incidence o f stroke can be reduced and the burden of stroke on the community may ease.