What is the relationship between abdominal obesity and risk of ischemic stroke?
Studies have shown a positive correlation between abdominal obesity and risk of ischemic stroke. For example, the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study found that those with higher levels of abdominal obesity were more likely to have an ischemic stroke than those with lower levels. Additionally, the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration found that those with higher body mass index (BMI) had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the Asia-Pacific region. Further, studies such as the Prospective study of body mass index and risk of stroke in apparently healthy women have found that higher BMI was associated with an increased risk of stroke. Finally, a pooled analysis of 97 prospective cohorts with 1.8 million participants found that body-mass index, overweight, and obesity had a direct effect on coronary heart disease and stroke. 