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Higher cardiovascular health may partially offset increased genetic risk for stroke

sarah Jonas

DALLAS, July 20, 2022 — Genes and lifestyle factors together play a role in stroke risk. However, even for people at high risk for stroke, adopting a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle may significantly lower the risk of stroke in their lifetime,  according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

“We know that well-managed, modifiable risk factors, especially treatment of hypertension, can noticeably lower an individual’s risk of stroke,” said senior study author Myriam Fornage, Ph.D., FAHA, professor of molecular medicine and human genetics at the Institute of Molecular Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.  

“Our study confirmed that we may be able to mitigate the lifetime risk of stroke by modifying other risk factors, and that regardless of genetics — whether you have a high polygenic risk score or low polygenic risk score — maintaining good cardiovascular health decreases the lifetime risk of stroke. So, modifiable risk factors are crucial in preventing stroke.”

For the study, researchers reviewed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, a community-based study of more than 11,500 white and Black adults over the age of 45, who had no history of stroke at enrollment. Study participants were followed for 28 years; 45% were men, and 55% were women.  

Researchers estimated the lifetime risk of a first stroke according to levels of genetic risk based on a stroke polygenic risk score. Polygenic risk scores were derived from over 3 million genetic variants, or single-nucleotide polymorphisms, across the whole genome. Participants were categorized as having either low, intermediate or high genetic risk based on an analysis of how many stroke-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms they had. The number of SNPs related to stroke was standardized at more than 2.7 million for white adults and more than 2.2 million SNPs for Black adults. The researchers investigated the potential impact of the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 recommendations and whether higher Life’s Simple 7 cardiovascular score (equating to better cardiovascular health) lessened the negative impact of a high genetic risk on the lifetime risk of stroke.  

Life’s Simple 7 scores are a composite measure of seven modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors: smoking status, physical activity, healthy diet, body mass index, total cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels. Cardiovascular health is categorized as optimal, average or inadequate based on each participants’ total score of ideal cardiovascular health components according to Life’s Simple 7.  For this analysis, Life’s Simple 7 scores were combined with the polygenic risk score to estimate lifetime stroke risk.

Please note, this study used the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 metrics, which were established in 2010. On June 29, 2022, the organization expanded and relaunched the recommendations to Life’s Essential 8, adding sleep as an additional component of heart health.

The study found:

“This is the first step in using genetic information to identify people who may be at higher risk for stroke, and also in motivating people to make lifestyle changes for cardiovascular disease prevention,” Fornage said. “This type of study shows us the possibilities for the future. Polygenic risk scores are not used clinically at this point; however, this may be the first step towards achieving personalized risk information to be used in lifestyle and health change. Having optimal cardiovascular health is crucial in stroke prevention.”  

The authors note that one major limitation of the study is that the polygenic risk score is a tool that needs improvement before it can be used broadly. The tool was developed and validated only among people who are white, which means it cannot be used to predict stroke risk accurately in people from diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds.  

Co-authors are Emy A. Thomas, M.P.H.; Nitesh Enduru, M.P.H.; Adrienne Tin, Ph.D.; Eric Boerwinkle, Ph.D.; Michael E. Griswold, Ph.D.; Thomas H. Mosley, Ph.D.; and Rebecca F. Gottesman, M.D., Ph.D. Authors’ disclosures are listed in the manuscript.

The study was funded by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a division of the National Institutes of Health.

Studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here. 

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

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