Small lifestyle changes lower risk of strokes

A recent study has shown that making small changes in lifestyle could reduce risk of strokes.

The finding of the study was based on an assessment using the American Heart Association's health factors: be active, control cholesterol, eat a healthy diet, manage blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, control blood sugar and don't smoke, reports Science Daily.

"We used the assessment tool to look at stroke risk and found that small differences in health status were associated with large reductions in stroke risk," said Mary Cushman, senior author and professor of medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington.

"Compared to those with poor blood pressure status, those who were ideal had a 60 percent lower risk of future stroke," Cushman added.

Researchers also found that those who didn't smoke or quit smoking more than one year prior to the beginning of the study had a 40 percent lower stroke risk.