LIFE-STYLE CHANGES - SMOKING, ALCOHOL, DIET AND EXERCISE

The incidence and mortality of stroke could be reduced further if avoidable causes were identified and eliminated. Several preventable lifestyle factors may play a significant role as risk factors for stroke. In the last few years, cigarette smoking has been established as a significant independent risk factor. It seems that giving up smoking reduces the risk of stroke in a relatively short period of time. Epidemiological evidence suggests that excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor as well; however, there is still some uncertainty about the effect of alcohol, the risk probably being related to the level of consumption. Other aspects of lifestyle, and particularly dietary factors and physical activity, have received little attention in terms of their possible effects on the incidence of stroke. Further studies should be conducted on the possible preventive effects of these two factors. It should also be stressed that there are still several uncertainties on the potentiation effect of lifestyle and other factors, and these issues must be investigated further.