Childhood divorce linked to stroke risk

A new study suggests that people whose parents divorced during their childhood may have a higher risk of having a stroke later in life.

The research, published in the journal PLOS One looked at data from more than 13,000 adults aged 65 and older.

Researchers found that people whose parents divorced before they turned 18 were about 60% more likely to have experienced a stroke than those who grew up in families where their parents stayed together.

Lead researcher Dr. Mary Kate Schilke, a psychology lecturer at Tyndale University in Toronto said the increased risk remained even after taking other factors into account including smoking low physical activity lower income and education levels.

She said childhood parental divorce was still linked to a 61% higher risk of stroke in later life.

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.  It can cause brain damage long term disability or even death if not treated quickly.

The researchers stressed that this was an observational study meaning it does not prove that parental divorce directly causes strokes.

However childhood family stress may be connected to other health conditions that increase stroke risk such as depression diabetes smoking and obesity.

Doctors say recognizing the warning signs of a stroke can save lives because early treatment is very important.

Common stroke symptoms include.

Sudden weakness or numbness in the face arm or leg especially on one side of the body.

•Trouble speaking or understanding speech.

•Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes.

•Difficulty walking dizziness loss of balance or poor coordination.

Experts say anyone with these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately as fast treatment can greatly improve recovery.