That's Fit

A British study has recently concluded that women are more likely to inherit the risk of the most common type of stroke. Ischemic strokes account for 83% of all strokes, and occur when there is an artery blockage in the brain.

The study found that women who suffered this type of stroke were 40% more likely to have a close relative who had also had a stroke when compared to men. Most of the time, this close relative was female. In fact, in women who had a stroke, having a mother who also suffered a stroke was 80% more common than in men.

What all these statistics mean is that family history of ischemic strokes is particularly important to women, especially when a female relative is involved. Doctors caution that men also need to be aware of their family histories, but the genetic link seems to be stronger between female relatives.Interestingly, age seems to be a factor as well. Women whose mother had a stroke at a young age were more likely to suffer a stroke in their youth as well. The older the mother was when she suffered a stroke meant less risk that the daughter would have similar issues.

Researchers hope to discover if and why this research applies only to this type of stroke, and if it can be used to scout out the reason behind strokes with unknown causes. It will be interesting to see where it leads.