If you’re an adult whose parents divorced when you were a child, you may have a higher risk of a fatal stroke, scientists warn. According to one study, seeing your parents separated can increase your chances of suffering from this life-threatening condition by the age of 65 by 61 percent.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Toronto, Tyndale University and the University of Texas at Arlington, said one in nine people over the age of 65 who had divorced parents were diagnosed with a stroke. By comparison, among adults whose parents lived together, only one in 15 suffered serious brain complications.

Also known as a brain attack, a stroke occurs when something blocks the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In any case, parts of the brain becomes damaged or diesDoctors say a stroke can cause permanent brain damage, long-term disability or even death.

It can happen to anyone at any age, but conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and atrial fibrillation, in addition to smoking and an unhealthy diet, can increase your risk.

Depression from parents’ divorce can cause stroke

Scientists say parental separation can lead to higher levels of stress, which is another risk factor for stroke. “Our study indicates that even after taking into account most of the known risk factors associated with stroke – including smoking, physical inactivity, low income and education, diabetes, depression and less social support – those whose parents divorced had a stroke, they still had a 61 percent higher risk of having a stroke,” said Dr. Mary Kate Schilke, lead study author and psychology lecturer at Tyndale University.

The study team also claimed that parental divorce increases a person’s risk of this condition almost as much as diabetes and depression.

Study, published in journal one moreSurvey responses from more than 13,000 older Americans were analyzed, 14 percent of whom had experienced a parent’s divorce during their childhood.

However, the researchers excluded those who had a history of childhood abuse.

“We found that even when people did not experience physical and sexual abuse in childhood and had at least one adult in their childhood home who made them feel safe, they were more likely to have a stroke,” the professor said. If their parents were divorced.” Study co-author Philip Biden, from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Other difficulties experienced in childhood did not have a particularly strong association with stroke in later life. Scientists said these include emotional abuse, neglect, mental illness, substance abuse in the home and experiencing domestic violence from parents.

Biological and social factors are to blame

The study authors said that even though it is not clear why the association between parental divorce and stroke exists, both biological and social factors are believed to be the main reasons behind it. “From a biological embedding perspective, separation of your parents during childhood can lead to persistently high levels of stress hormones,” Professor Baden said.

For future purposes, experts predict that family history could be used to improve outreach for stroke prevention and education.

Ways to reduce the risk of stroke

Some expert-recommended steps to reduce your risk of stroke include:

• get regular checkups
• Maintain low blood pressure and low cholesterol
• do not smoke
• be physically active
• maintain a healthy weight
• eat more fruits and vegetables
• reduce salt intake
• Do not drink alcohol in excess

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