Stroke is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, but new insight sheds light on possible prevention.
Nearly 70% of Strokes Have This Risk Factor In Common, New Study Says
Published on Feb. 01, 2025
Every year, nearly 800,000 people suffer a stroke in America, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Sadly, one in six of those individuals—roughly 137,000 people—will not survive the sudden event.
This makes stroke one of the leading causes of death and disability in the nation, and a frightening prospect for anyone concerned about their health. However, a new study suggests that while strokes may seem to occur at random, there’s actually one thing that nearly 70% of them have in common—and it could help you control your risk.
According to a new January 2025 study published in the International Journal of Stroke, 69% of all strokes are “attributable to metabolic risks.” Environmental and behavioral risks also appeared to contribute to stroke risk, but to a far lesser degree.
In particular, there are five metabolic factors which could significantly raise your risk:
- Excess abdominal weight or a waist circumference of more than 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women
- High levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the bloodstream
- Low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol
- Elevated blood sugar levels
- High blood pressure
In fact, having any three of these metabolic risk factors constitutes a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Not only does this put you at heightened risk of stroke, but it also raises your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Though many people who have metabolic syndrome are unaware that they have it, roughly one in three adults meet the criteria for diagnosis.
“It’s possible to reverse metabolic syndrome. Lifestyle changes can do a lot to improve your health. Medications can help as well. Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the best plan for you,” the Cleveland Clinic says. “You can’t change all the factors that contribute to metabolic syndrome, like your genetics and age. But the lifestyle changes that can help treat metabolic syndrome are the same steps that can help prevent it,” their experts add.
In particular, following a heart-healthy diet, getting ample exercise, ensuring high-quality sleep, quitting smoking, and managing stress can all help improve your metabolic risk factors. Your doctor may also prescribe drugs such as cholesterol medications, blood pressure medications, or diabetes medications to treat your individual risk factors, and it’s important that you take your medications as they’re prescribed.
By working with your healthcare team to address your metabolic concerns, you can prevent or treat the medical conditions that lead to stroke. Speak with your doctor to test your metabolic risks levels and learn more.
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