Recent study revealed that an unhealthy lifestyle doubles the risk of stroke. University of East Anglia researchers analyzed data collected from 20,000 Men and women aged 40 to 79 with no known history of stroke. The study subjects were followed for 11 years.

Study subjects filled detailed health and lifestyle questionnaire and underwent a thorough health examination. Researchers gave one point for each of these habits- for not smoking, for drinking just one to 14 units of alcohol a week, for consuming five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, for being physically active.

Data analysis showed that those who scored zero points were 2.3 times more likely to have a stroke in the 11-year follow-up as compared to those with four points. 259 people did not score any points, out of these 15 had a stroke during course of study - at a rate of 5.8%. 7,822 people scored three points, out of these 186 or 2.4%, had a stroke. 5,000 people who achieved the healthiest score of four had lowest stroke risk of 1.7%.

Study leader Dr Phyo Myint, lead researcher said that over the study period it was observed that six people for every 100 participants who had no health behaviors suffered a stroke compared to about one to two people for every 100 participants who had four positive health behaviors.