Adherence
Smoking, overweight (BMI ≥24), and physical inactivity are independent risk factors for stroke, increasing risk by 1.18-1.22 fold and 1.75 fold respectively compared to non-smokers, normal weight, and active individuals.
Avoid smoking, maintain a healthy weight (BMI <24), and engage in regular physical activity (moderate or vigorous exercise ≥30 minutes, ≥3 times/week). These three factors are independently associated with a significantly lower risk of stroke. Focus on quitting smoking, managing weight, and staying active to protect your cardiovascular health.
Smoking, overweight, and physical inactivity were identified as independent risk factors for stroke: Compared with nonsmokers, smokers had a 1.18-fold higher stroke risk (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.04–4.57, P = .039). Compared with participants of normal weight, overweight participants had a 1.22-fold higher stroke risk (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.23–4.02, P = .019). Compared with participants who regularly engaged in physical activity, those with physical inactivity had a 75% higher stroke risk (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.05–2.93, P = .033).
Why this rating
Retrospective case-control with adjustment for confounders; consistent with broader literature.
Source
Influence of lifestyle on stroke risk among adults over 40 years in northern China: A retrospective case-control study
Jiantao Yu et al. · Medicine · 2025
DOI 10.1097/md.0000000000045707
More from this paper
- Adherence to ≥6 unhealthy lifestyle factors (smoking, overweight, physical inactivity, low fruit/veg intake, unbalanced diet) is associated with a 22.67-fold higher risk of stroke compared to 0-1 factors.Good
- Adequate fruit and vegetable intake (>5 days/week meeting ≥100g/day threshold) and a balanced meat-vegetable diet are protective against stroke, reducing risk by approximately 41-57% compared to low intake or vegan diets.Good
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
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