In a long-term observational study over several decades by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, it was found that women can reduce their risk of stroke, which occurs on average at the age of 75 years, by changing their lifestyle, especially around the middle of life. 60,000 women were observed for the analysis of the „Nurses’Health Study“ over a long period of time, who showed positive health effects mainly through 30-minute physical activity per day, cigarette weaning and weight loss. The change in diet towards healthy products did not have such a high significance in terms of the risk of suffering a stroke. The almost complete abstention from alcohol also fell into this category. The scientists also found that the positive effect was greatest around food, although moderation and a change in lifestyle are worthwhile even at an older age. Women who work on themselves, especially in middle age, generally reduced the long-term risk of a stroke by 25 percent. The Ischemic stroke, which is the most common type of stroke, at 80 to 85 percent, is even reduced by one third. But the less frequent hemorrhagic stroke also occurs less frequently when women change their lifestyle. Without lifestyle interventions during the 26-year follow-up period, 4.7 percent of women suffered an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The risk was therefore particularly reduced if the women observed followed the first three intervention measures. The risk of suffering a stroke was then reduced by a quarter (see above) or by 36 percent in the case of the more frequent ischemic stroke. But even a change in diet still brings a desired positive effect of 23 percent, meaning that almost one in four women is spared if they eat a healthy diet, with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, little meat and instead of fish and nuts. Incidentally, similar correlations apply to men according to other current studies.
