Obesity

Obesity, is frequently associated with a high-fat diet, raised blood pressure and lack of exercise. Arteriosclerosis or narrowing of the arteries, which may lead to the formation of a blood clot is accelerated by high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol and lack of exercise, thus increasing the chance of stroke.

Elevated body mass index (BMI) is reported to increase the risk of ischaemic stroke independent of other risk factors including age and systolic blood pressure. For example, according to a recent long-term study, obesity in middle-aged men can have a significant impact on stroke risk later in life. The extended follow-up period made it possible to show a link between obesity in middle age and an increased stroke risk later in life.