New study findings presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles could aid clinicians in determining individuals who need more surveillance and preventive care for stroke, dementia, and depression.
The researchers studied blood samples from 356,173 patients who were about 57 years of age. According to an American Heart Association release, patient specimens “were used to analyze leukocyte telomere length, and the measurements were divided into groups: shortest, intermediate and longest.”
Patients with shorter telomeres had a higher risk (11%) of stroke, dementia, and depression. “They had an 8% higher stroke risk, 19% higher dementia risk and 14% higher risk for depression diagnosed at 60 or older.” However, these patients did not have increased risk of these diseases if they engaged in healthier lifestyles, according to AHA’s release.
