Baseline Medical

A Bit of Wine to Lower Your Stroke Risk

Not smoking and sticking to a healthy diet are two of the best ways to prevent a stroke. But this part's a bit more surprising: Sipping a little booze may be more protective than regular physical activity, concludes a new study in the journal Neurology.

Obviously, that's not to say exercise is a waste; apart from its well-documented heart benefits, regular physical activity lowers your risk for stroke by 9%, according to the study. But back to the alcohol. Drinking between 3 and 9 alcoholic beverages a week-a drinking habit the study authors defined as "moderate"-was associated with an 11% drop in stroke risk. What's so great about booze? Alcohol raises your good cholesterol and slashes your levels of a blood clotting protein called fibrinogen, explains study coauthor Susanna Larsson, PhD, of Stockholm's Karolinska Institute. Alcohol also fights off inflammation, studies have found. Larsson says any one of those benefits (or all three in combination) could explain your wine or cocktail's stroke-blocking powers. Read More

Baseline Medical features a 10 minute non-invasive vascular ultrasound exam of the carotid arteries in the neck to learn about individual's risk for heart disease and stroke. Serious disease can be diagnosed and treated before it is a life-changing health issue.

Just as your physician would recommend a cancer screening with a colonoscopy or mammogram is why Baseline Medical supports physicians who agree that screenings for heart disease and stroke are just as important. The screening results identify the problem and send the warning in time.

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