Stroke odds lower for women with higher brain health scores
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- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Women who rank highly on a brain health score measuring physical, lifestyle, social, and emotional factors may face significantly lower odds of a stroke, according to a Harvard-led study published June 10, 2025, in the journal Neurology.
Researchers used data from more than 21,000 women (average age 58) to calculate the McCance Brain Care Score for each. The score, which ranges from 0 to 21 points, incorporates 12 modifiable risk factors to predict someone’s risk of stroke, dementia, or depression. Factors include physical components such as blood pressure and body mass index; lifestyle components such as diet, smoking status, and sleep; and social and emotional components such as relationships and stress. After adjusting for age, menopausal status, and other cardiovascular risk factors, the researchers found that women with brain care scores equal to or above average were 28% less likely to have a stroke than participants with below-average scores. The results reinforce how optimizing daily habits can help prevent devastating brain problems, the study authors said. One in five American women ages 55 to 75 is expected to experience a stroke.
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About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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