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Many teens are not concerned about stroke risk factors

By Staff Writer

A recent survey by the American Heart Association shows that a significant number of teens are not worried about how their decisions will affect their health in the future, particularly when it comes to strokes.

The survey indicates that most 18 to 24 year olds said they want to live to the age of 98, on average. Although these individuals plan on having long lives, about one-third said that they do not believe that the lifestyle choices they make in their youth can affect their risk of having a stroke in the future. About 18 percent could not identify even one risk factor for strokes.

Similarly, about 42 percent of these youths said they were not at all concerned about cardiovascular disease.

It may be important for teens to know that the decisions that they make in their youth can affect their future health. Individuals who make healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a low-fat diet, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight, can lower their risk of having a stroke by up to 80 percent.

Parents who think that their teens are living unhealthy lifestyles may want to consider enrolling them in therapeutic schools.  

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