Two REGARDS Studies receieve national attention.

Sunny Skies Linked to Lower Stroke Risk and Dietary Vitamin D Also Associated With Decreased Risk of Stroke

Feb. 1, 2012 -- People who live in sunny places may have a lower risk of stroke while people who live in areas with the least amount of sunlight may have a greater risk for stroke, new research from REGARDS suggests. Scientists Drs. Leslie McClure and Shia Kent used NASA satellite and ground monitor data to determine sunlight and temperature exposure and how it corresponded with the stroke risk of study participants. People exposed to the highest and lowest temperatures had the highest risk of stroke, as did those who had the lowest average monthly sun exposure. The researchers believe it is the first to show an association between sunlight and stroke according to findings presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in New Orleans February 1-3, 2012. 

A second study suggests eating a lot of salmon, eggs, tuna, and other vitamin D-rich foods may help protect against stroke and memory loss. Increasing vitamin D intake -- or getting more sun, which can spur the body to produce it -- may help lower the risk of stroke. A link between vitamin D and the brain was supported by this study, also conducted using data collected from REGARDS.  The lead scientist was Dr. Suzanne Judd.  People in the group that took in the most vitamin D were 13% less likely to have a stroke and 25% less likely to have cognitive impairment than those who took in the least.

Both studies reveal interesting associations and deserve further study. They were presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference February 2012. To read the full news articles click on the links below.

 http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20120201/sunny-skies-linked-lower-stroke-risk

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/02/two_uab_studies_suggest_gettin.html

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/01/lower-sunlight-exposure-may-increase-stroke-risk/?hpt=he_c2

In the ‘Stroke Belt,’ Erosion of Memory Is More Likely Too

By Pam Belluck (The New York Times) -  People in a large area of the American South have long been known to have more strokes and to be more likely to die from them than people living elsewhere in the country.

 Now, a large national study suggests the so-called stroke belt may have another troubling health distinction. Researchers have found that Southerners there also are more likely to experience a decline in cognitive ability over several years — specifically, problems with memory and orientation.

 READ FULL ARTICLE

Cognitive decline is higher in Southern Stroke Belt

People who live in the Stroke Belt are more likely to develop cognitive decline, according to new data from a long-running University of Alabama at Birmingham study. It’s hoped that linking cognitive decline to stroke-risk factors could lead to stroke prevention.

Eating Less Healthy Fish May Contribute to America's Stroke Belt         

ST. PAUL, Minn. –People living in the “stroke belt” states eat more fried fish than people living in the rest of the country, which may contribute to the high rate of death from stroke in those states, according to a study published in the December 22, 2010, online issue of Neurology^®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

 Studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish, especially fatty fish, may reduce the risk of stroke. Research has shown that frying fish leads to the loss of the natural fatty acids.

The American Heart Association reports that 700,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year.  About 150,000 of these people die of their stroke.  These numbers are a "guess" based on studies that did not include many African Americans.  THis is why the REGARDS study has about half African Americans and half Whites.  We hope that our results will help us learn why the risk of stroke is different for people of different races.  Because this is such an important study, we have included people from all over the nation and both races to help us understand stroke risk.