In the first large population study of its kind, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have found that higher levels of the naturally-occurring substance called homocysteine increase the risk of stroke among younger women. Deficiency in B vitamins or a genetic predisposition can cause higher levels of homocysteine, which is an amino acid. Results of the study are published in the August 1999 issue of the journal Stroke. Dr. Kittner adds that it is possible to lower homocysteine levels by increasing the amount of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 in the diet.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and is a major cause of disability.
Among women under age 45, stroke is more common than Multiple Sclerosis. The study included 167 white and African-American women age 15 to 44 who had suffered an ischemic stroke in Maryland, Washington, D.C., southern Pennsylvania or Delaware. They were compared to 328 randomly selected women who had not had a stroke, but were matched with the participants for similar characteristics, such as age and location of residence. The researchers also looked at factors such as smoking, socioeconomic status and vitamin use, in addition to homocysteine levels. The women in the study whose homocysteine levels were within the top 40 percent of the whole group had a 2.3 percent higher risk of stroke.