Possible influence of parents on boosting your stroke risk by 60%
Adults Who Experienced Parental Divorce as Children Face Higher Stroke Risk
Numerous individuals born to divorced parents might find the revelation unsurprising, as up to half of the population shares a similar background. However, recent research suggests that the impact of parental divorce could extend beyond childhood, potentially elevating the stroke risk of adults who have since matured.
A team of international researchers scrutinized a population-based sample consisting of 13,205 older adults, aged 65 or above. Of these participants, 56.6% were female, and none reported experiencing childhood abuse. Roughly 13.9% revealed they had experienced parental divorce during their childhood years.
Herein lies the concerning part – one in nine individuals from the divorced parent group had suffered a stroke, comparedto one in 15 participants from intact families. In other words, the odds of stroke in older Americans who experienced parental divorce are about 61% higher than those from stable family environments, even after taking other stroke risk factors into consideration.
The researchers found the increased stroke risk associated with parental divorce to be comparable to well-established factors such as diabetes and depression.
The study's senior author, Esme Fuller-Thomson, a professor at the University of Toronto, acknowledges that the specific reasons behind the link between parental divorce and stroke remain elusive. One possibility, she proposes, is that the chronic stress endured during childhood due to parental separation could result in sustained high levels of stress hormones. According to Fuller-Thomson, such exposure may profoundly influence the developing brain and one's ability to manage future stress, potentially contributing to a higher risk of stroke.
Research co-author Philip Baiden, a professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, is equally intrigued by the associations between parental divorce and stroke risk. He underscores that even individuals from divorced households who had never faced childhood abuse or lacked for a safe emotional climate experienced a significantly increased chance of stroke.
Although the link between parental divorce and stroke is yet to be fully elucidated, health professionals are encouraged to consider a person's family history when planning targeted outreach for stroke prevention education. For now, individuals can actively take preventative measures against stroke by adopting heart-healthy lifestyles, such as proper stress management and a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish.
- The link between parental divorce and stroke risk in adults has been found to be comparable to well-established factors like diabetes and depression.
- The study suggests that the odds of stroke in older adults who experienced parental divorce are about 61% higher than those from stable family environments, even after accounting for other stroke risk factors.
- The researchers propose that the chronic stress endured during childhood due to parental separation could result in sustained high levels of stress hormones, which may profoundly influence the developing brain and one's ability to manage future stress, potentially contributing to a higher risk of stroke.
- Health professionals are encouraged to consider a person's family history when planning targeted outreach for stroke prevention education, and individuals can actively take preventative measures against stroke by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes proper stress management, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, and regular fitness and exercise for mental and cardiovascular health.
