Obesity has grown over the years to become one of the most severe health challenges in the world. It is creating health complications for 890 million adults and many others belonging to all age groups. The condition comes with a number of severe health risks like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. So, if you were thinking, can obesity cause strokes? Yes, obesity can cause strokes, and next, you’ll find out why.
Obesity is a disease of multifactorial etiology such as diet and physical activity stages, surroundings, physiology and genetics. However, for some individuals weight reduction and maintenance can be difficult to achieve. Additionally, research has shown that even a small weight loss in obese persons can prevent major health complications by reducing the risk of overweight stroke and other vascular diseases.
This article will discuss the relationship between obesity and stroke and what measures can be taken to reduce these risks.
How can Obesity Cause Stroke Risk?
Being obese or overweight elevates your risk of developing diabetes as well as high blood pressure and reduces the levels of “good” cholesterol. Each of these medical conditions raises your chance of having a stroke and is a separate risk factor. Your risk of stroke rises by 22% if you are overweight and 64% if you are obese. Obesity directly increases your risk of stroke.
So, how does obesity cause strokes? When you’re obese or overweight, the inflammation can result from carrying extra fatty tissue. As a result, there may be a “furrowing up” and narrowing of significant blood vessels. There can also be changes to the blood that increase the risk of clot formation.
What is the Mechanism of Stroke?
Clot formation is a factor that may cause a blood vessel blockage. You may experience an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly referred to as a mini-stroke, if the affected blood vessel is in charge of supplying blood to a portion of your brain.
Although to a lesser degree, being overweight also raises the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, which is a brain bleed. An individual may get a weight loss stroke, a condition in which the patient starts losing weight after the stroke. It is the most commonly observed after a stroke.
Thus, being obese makes you more vulnerable to an attack instead of being overweight. You can maintain a healthy weight to reduce your risk of obesity and stroke.
Facts Sheet About Obesity and Stroke Risk
The research conducted to date indicates a strong connection between obesity and stroke risk. You can examine these interesting observations from global studies to understand more about the risk based on your age, weight, and way of life.
- A recent study found that individuals who have struggled with obesity or weight management for ten years or more face increased health risks. Specifically, men under 65 and women under 50 in this group are more susceptible to developing heart disease, which may lead to a stroke.
- An increased risk of stroke has frequently been associated with a higher BMI. However, some studies suggest that abdominal body fat is a more reliable indicator of stroke risk. Belly fat or Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is an important factor to consider when assessing stroke risk.
- Overweight as well as obesity rates are continuously rising among adults and children. The percentage of adults 18 years of age or older who are living with obesity has significantly doubled from 7% to 16% between 1990 and 2022. In contrast, the percentage of adolescents and children aged 5 to 19 who live with obesity increased fourfold from 2% to 8% worldwide.
How Will I Know If I Am Overweight Or Obese?
There are certain measures to use that can indicate whether a person is obese or overweight. One of the commonly used metrics is the Body Mass Index or BMI. It functions based on your height and weight ( applies to men as well as women between the ages of 18 and 65).
Your BMI will show results if you are underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. You can also use the online calculator to determine your BMI. If you are overweight, then your BMI will show a metric equal to or more than 25. And if you are obese, it will indicate more than or equal to 30.
Weight Management to Lower Obesity and Stroke Risk
You should discuss weight loss strategies with your doctor if you are obese or overweight. By doing this, you will lessen your chance of having a stroke as well as other conditions that may worsen your obesity and stroke risk. You can start by using the following recommendations:
1. Lifestyle changes
A healthy diet and increased physical activity are two lifestyle changes that healthcare providers frequently advice to help patients lose weight safely when treating overweight and obesity. By making these lifestyle adjustments, you can consume fewer calories from food and drink and burn more calories through exercise.
2. Personalized Weight-loss Program
Your dietician or healthcare provider will work with you to create a personalized weight loss management plan. These experts will work with you to create a plan and will assist you in implementing it. Programs for weight loss management that are safe and effective usually consist of the following:
- A minimum of 14 sessions of weight-loss,
- Counseling therapy over six months,
- An eating schedule centered on the calories and nutrients required by your body,
- Minimum 150 minutes a week of aerobic physical activity at a moderate intensity,
- Weekly weight monitoring, daily food intake and physical activity tracking, brisk cycling or walking,
- Regular input and assistance from experts.
3. Healthy Eating Habits
Weight loss can be difficult to achieve and sustain. When lifestyle modifications are insufficient to treat overweight and obesity, you may include healthy food in your diet. Obesity can also occur if there is an imbalance between the calories consumed and expended by your body. It is beneficial to include healthy foods that are rich in essential nutrients and devoid of unhealthy fats and sugars.
4.Weight-loss Surgery
Surgical weight loss, commonly referred to as metabolic and bariatric surgery, encompasses various procedures that modify your digestive tract to help you lose weight. If your body mass index (BMI) is 35 or higher, your doctor might suggest weight-loss surgery. If an individual has a lower BMI and a major obesity-related health issue, like type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea, some medical professionals and associations advise weight-loss surgery.
Conclusion
Obesity and stroke incidence are rising and have a significant socioeconomic impact on medical expenses. This suggests a loss of quality of life and activities of daily living due to its serious consequences. Besides, it can be difficult to manage stroke in obese patients.
Making healthy lifestyle choices can help you control these conditions, reduce your weight, and even prevent stroke. However, to ensure that your weight loss plan is safe, speak with your doctor before getting started. If you’re looking for a registered dietician for a personalized health approach, look no further than Health Loft. With us, you can be sure that the longer you maintain your healthy lifestyle choices, the easier they will become.
References:
Obesity and Stroke Fact Sheet – Obesity Action Coalition. (2023, September 28). Obesity Action Coalition. https://www.obesityaction.org/resources/obesity-and-stroke-fact-sheet/
Quiñones-Ossa, G. A., Lobo, C., Garcia-Ballestas, E., Florez, W. A., Moscote-Salazar, L. R., & Agrawal, A. (2021). Obesity and Stroke: Does the Paradox Apply for Stroke? Neurointervention, 16(1), 9–19. https://doi.org/10.5469/neuroint.2020.00108
Bailey, E. (2024, June 2). Risk for heart attack and stroke higher in younger adults who have had obesity for a decade or more. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/risk-for-heart-attack-and-stroke-higher-in-younger-adults-who-have-had-obesity-for-a-decade-or-more#Obesity-in-older-age
Admin. (2024, January 10). 5 Facts About Obesity and Stroke Risk. StrokePrevention.info. Obesity And Stroke: What You Need To Know. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-byte/health/obesity-and-stroke
https://www.world-stroke.org/assets/downloads/WSO_DontBeTheOne_PI_Leaflets_-_WEIGHT.pdf
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
