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Factors associated with the steep increase in late-midlife stroke occurrence among US men

Amytis Towfighi1, Jeffrey L Saver, Rita Engelhardt

  • 1Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA. towfighi@usc.edu

Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases : the Official Journal of National Stroke Association
|July 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Middle-aged men aged 55-64 face higher stroke risks. Elevated serum homocysteine (HCY) is the key predictor for stroke in this age group, suggesting potential for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Stroke incidence significantly increases in men aged 55-64 compared to 45-54.
  • Understanding risk factors for this midlife stroke increase is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify potential risk factors contributing to the rise in stroke occurrence among middle-aged men.
  • To analyze stroke prevalence and predictors in men across their midlife years.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 data.
  • Assessment of stroke prevalence, predictors, and vascular risk factors in midlife men.

Main Results:

  • Higher glycohemoglobin, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease history predicted stroke in both 45-54 and 55-64 age groups.
  • Unique predictors for 45-54 group: non-white race, low ankle-brachial pulsatility index, severe headache.
  • Elevated serum homocysteine (HCY) uniquely predicted stroke in the 55-64 group.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum HCY is the sole independent stroke predictor for US men aged 55-64.
  • Further research on HCY-lowering treatments to reduce midlife stroke risk is recommended.
Abstract

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