THE STROKE NEWS WAS SO THIN IN FEBRUARY THAT,

THE JOURNALISTS MUST HAVE BEEN OUT PLAYING GOLF

IN THE MILD WINTER WEATHER ON THE EAST COAST! 

But, there is enough news that is interesting and enlightening, such as the new study showing that the stroke risk had dropped over the past 50 years. That’s because people are getting smarter about their health and medicines have improved. Of course all of us in the Stroke Network crowd are exceptions to these findings, but it’s heartening news, nonetheless. On the other hand, when you look at stroke treatment and survival, women may be getting the short end of the stick (not the first time for that, of course). And then there is another piece of information about stroke risk and smoking—it’s not just how long you have smoked, but how much. So read on to get all the skinny for February.

Lifetime Stroke Risk Drops

A new study shows 
    that your chance of having a stroke in your lifetime has
dropped significantly over the past 50 years. And at least for men, the
chance of dying from the disease has declined as well.

Researchers who presented the data at the American Stroke
Association's International Stroke Conference 2006 credited the trends
to better control of blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other stroke risk factors.

Researcher Raphael Carandang, MD, a resident in the Department of  
Neurology at Boston University, says the risk of having a stroke in
one's lifetime dropped from 19.5% in 1950 to 1978 to 13.3% in 
1990 to 2004.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/119/113190

Gender Bias in Stroke Care Persists

The gender gap in stroke care shows no signs of narrowing, Italian researchers report. In a study of more than 250 stroke victims, about twice as many women as men suffered from a potentially deadly heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation that is associated with severe strokes. In atrial fibrillation, the heart beats irregularly, which can allow blood clots to form in the heart and then travel from the heart to the brain to cause a stroke.

Prior to their stroke, 27% of men -- vs. 17% of women who suffered from

a potentially deadly heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation that is associated with severe strokes. -- received anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication that has been proven to prevent strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/118/113137

6 Serious Medical Symptoms

As if you did not already know this...Here's some weighty news for heavy

smokers: Your risk of stroke hinges as much on how many cigarette

you puff a day as on how many years you light up, a new study shows.

"It matters both how long you smoked and how much you were smoking at the time," says researcher Sachin Agarwal, MD, MPH, a postdoctoral fellow in cardiovascular medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore,Md.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/66/79903