The American Stroke Association has published research that highlights the significant role of nontraditional risk factors in unexplained strokes among young adults. According to a study published in Stroke, the peer-reviewed scientific journal, adults under 50 years old have more than double the risk of having a stroke from migraine or other nontraditional stroke risk factors compared to traditional risks such as high blood pressure.

Previous research indicates that the rate of ischemic (clot-caused) strokes among adults aged 18-49 is increasing, propelled by a corresponding rise in cryptogenic strokes (strokes of unknown cause) in adults without traditional risk factors. Up to half of all ischemic strokes in younger adults are of unknown causes and more common in women.

Researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 European adults aged 18-49, with a median age of 41 years. Half of the participants had experienced a cryptogenic ischemic stroke, while half had no history of stroke. The study examined the associations of 12 traditional risk factors, 10 nontraditional risk factors, and five risk factors specific to women.

The analysis found that:

* Non-traditional risk factors contributed significantly to unexplained strokes in younger adults.
* Migraine headaches emerged as one of the leading risk factors for stroke development in this age group.
* The study’s results should inform healthcare professionals to develop a more tailored approach to risk factor assessment and management.

Lead study author Jukka Putaala emphasized the importance of careful and routine assessment of both traditional and nontraditional risk factors in younger people, as well as screening after they have had a stroke to prevent future strokes. American Heart Association chair Tracy E. Madsen noted that recognizing specific risks that affect women and those not commonly seen could change our approach to screening for these risks and educating patients throughout their lives.

The study’s limitations include being an observational study, which means it was a review and analysis of existing health data on patients enrolled in another trial or database, and the reliance on patient-reported risk factors. The findings may not be applicable to other populations due to the predominantly white European participant pool.

Overall, this research highlights the critical need for healthcare professionals to consider nontraditional risk factors, especially migraine headaches, when assessing stroke risk in younger adults, particularly women.

The study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, has shed new light on the relationship between genetic predisposition and sedentary behavior. Researchers have found that individuals with a higher genetic predisposition to sedentary behavior are more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases, including hypertensive diseases, ischaemic heart diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases.

Using genome-wide polygenic scores, researchers developed a score to describe genetic predisposition to leisure screen time, the most common type of voluntary sedentary behavior. The study analyzed data from approximately 330,000 Finns and found that people with the highest genetic predisposition to sedentary behavior accumulated about half an hour more daily sedentary time and had a 20% higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases compared to those with the lowest genetic predisposition.

The findings support previous theories that the human trait to be sedentary has a genetic basis and highlight its health effects. The study’s lead author, Postdoctoral Researcher Laura Joensuu, emphasizes the importance of promoting physical activity in society, particularly for individuals who feel lazy or lack energy. By fostering a sense of community and joy related to physical activity, we can encourage people to engage in regular exercise and reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and received funding from various organizations, including the Research Council of Finland and the Sigrid Juselius Foundation. The research underscores the significance of considering genetic predisposition when promoting public health and encouraging physical activity.

Uncovering Early Body Awareness: Babies Sense Their Own Heartbeat and Breathing

Researchers at the University of Vienna have made a groundbreaking discovery about the early development of body awareness in infants. A recent study has found that babies as young as 3 months can perceive their own heartbeat, and that this ability remains relatively stable throughout their first two years of life.

The perception of internal body signals is closely linked to emotional awareness, mental health, and self-perception. Early in life, the ability to perceive one’s own body signals may be particularly important, as it often forms the basis for interactions with caregivers – for example, babies rely on their caregivers to respond appropriately to signs of hunger or discomfort.

The study used innovative methods by tracking the infants’ eye movements as they watched child-friendly figures. These figures moved either in synchrony with the child’s heartbeat or breathing, or with a slight time delay. Results showed that even at an early age, babies recognize the correspondence between their own heartbeat or breathing rhythm and the animated figures.

“They looked longer at the screen when the figures were in synchrony than when they were delayed,” said Markus Tünte, lead author of the study from the University of Vienna. “The babies must have recognized that the figures moved simultaneously with their heartbeat or breathing, and then they paid more attention.”

This groundbreaking finding opens up exciting perspectives for future developmental psychology research. In particular, it is essential to explore how early body awareness relates to the development of emotional and social skills, as well as the role parents play in shaping early body perception.

In the long term, such research could be used to promote healthy body awareness and, consequently, the mental health of children. By understanding how babies perceive their own body signals, we can develop more effective strategies for supporting their emotional and social development, ultimately leading to a healthier and happier childhood.