Mini-stroke reduces life by 20% - scientists

Australian scientists from the University of New South Wales believe that the transient ischemic attack, commonly known as a mini-stroke, can reduce life expectancy by 20%

Scientists selected 22 157 patients who were hospitalized for transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the period from July 2000 to June 2007 in New South Wales, and analyzed their medical records for at least two years, according to Sompulenta.ru . Then collected information on reported deaths in the area until June 2009 and the mortality of subjects and the general population. The average age of female patients was 78 years old, male - 73 years.



A year after hospitalization good health 91.5% underwent a mini-stroke; rest of the population survival was 95%. Five years survival of patients with TIA was 13.2% lower than expected (still alive at 67.2%), and survival in the general population was equal to 77.4%. By the end of the study, that is, nine years later, the survival rate of TIA member by 20% short of expectations.
The older the patients were, the more they risked dying: a mini-stroke had a minimal effect in patients younger than 50 years, but considerably shortened life expectancy those who were older than 65. Compared with those who have not reached fifty, the relative risk of death in patients 75-84 years old was 7.77 times higher than in, and the age group older than 85 - to 11.02 per cent.

According to researchers, who have a history of TIA may improve your chances for longevity, if they gain a healthy lifestyle habits, including daily physical exercise, maintaining normal weight, healthy diet and not smoking.

Transient ischemic attack - acute violation occurs cerebral hemodynamics, manifested primarily focal neurological symptoms. People, who have had a mini-stroke, do not die from it, but are more at risk of early stroke and other health problems, which obviously reduces the duration of life.

Happy people live longer - scientists

The higher the level of satisfaction with life, the lower the risk of premature death, researchers say

Experts from University College London, found: happy and positive-minded people are living longer, reports Infix.

Within five years, researchers have observed the life of almost four thousand people aged 52-79 years. It turned out that a group of those who argued that more or less satisfied with life, the likelihood of premature death was lower by 35%. According to scientists, it reinforces the idea that a positive attitude to life helps to disease and stress.

Participants of the experiment four times a day fixed their level of satisfaction with life or anxiety. The final conclusions were made after the researchers adjusted for several factors: age, sex, depression, presence of certain diseases and healthy or unhealthy lifestyle of the respondents.

Conclusions head of research Andrew Steptoe and his colleagues confirm earlier conclusions of scientists that optimism is good for health, and anxiety, depression and pessimism increased morbidity and shorten life. Steptoe has emphasized the importance of positive emotions for the elderly.

In previous studies it was found the relationship between anxiety, depression, pessimism, and high levels of illness and shorter life expectancy.