Height, financial stress and family conflict are important factors when assessing the risk of stroke, according to a recent study.

            Researchers from Tel Aviv University followed the health of 10,059 men for a period of 23 years to determine what health habits and conditions beyond high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and obesity, can increase the risk of stroke.

            The men were asked about family problems at the beginning of the study.  Those who reported “Very serious” family problems had a 4.8% risk of dying of a stroke; 4.5% if their family problems were “serious;” 3.3% if the problems were not serious, and a 3.5% risk if no problems existed.

            Financial problems also increased the risk of stroke.  The risk of dying for those with very serious financial strain was 4.7%, compared to 3.7% with no financial difficulties.

            The average height was 5-feet-six.  Researchers divided the men into four groups, from the shortest to tallest.  The shortest group of men were 54% more likely to die of a stroke than the tallest group.

SOURCE: St. Petersburg Times, February 9, 2002;  p.10A.