Clinicians can make an educated prediction on a patient's risk to a stroke based on the severity of their metabolic conditions. Using such data, researchers decided to develop an online calculator-based tool to identify such risk and help reduce it.
"We had previously shown that the severity of metabolic syndrome was linked to future coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes," said UVA's Mark DeBoer, MD. "This study showed further links to future ischemic strokes."
Learn more about an ischemic stroke:
The scoring tool is available for free at https://metscalc.org/. Researchers developed the tool based on the “Z-scores” which measures the severity of metabolic syndrome in study participants.
"Nevertheless," the researchers note in their new scientific article outlining their findings, "these results are notable enough that they may warrant further study into race and sex differences."
"In case there are still individuals out there debating whether to start exercising or eating a healthier diet," DeBoer said, "this study provides another wake-up call to motivate us all toward lifestyle changes."
Source: Science Daily
