Stroke Risk Grows with Waistlines in U.S. Women

According to U.S. survey data, rising obesity is associated with rising midlife stroke rates in women, but not in men.

Recent research has demonstrated that the prevalence of stroke in women aged 45 to 54 is twice that in men of similar age (JW Neurol Jan 29 2008). Investigators sought to determine whether this observed sex difference is a recent phenomenon, and if so, whether it could relate to worsening of vascular risk factors or increases in biomarker levels among women. They evaluated medical histories and biomarker data from participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988–1994 compared with analogous data from NHANES 1999–2004. In all, 9706 women and men aged 35 to 54 answered the question about prior diagnosis of stroke.

In women, stroke prevalence increased from 0.6% in 1988–1994 to 1.8% 1999–2004; no such increase …

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

Stroke Risk Grows with Waistlines in U.S. Women

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Reviewing Author