Doctor Sergeeva: reducing the biological age prevents the development of stroke
Age is considered a significant risk factor for stroke, which cannot be affected in any way. However, thanks to modern geroprotective technologies, it is possible to get closer to changing this situation. On October 24, a neurologist, a leading researcher, head of the laboratory for the study of brain aging at the Russian Gerontological Research and Clinical Center of the N.I. Pirogov RNIMU, associate professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences Svetlana Sergeeva told Izvestia about this.
As the specialist explained, the average age of stroke is 66-67 years. Starting at the age of 55, the risk of stroke doubles every decade.
"We usually mean that the biological and calendar age "according to the passport" coincide. But when we talk about age as a risk of developing diseases or their complications, we mean how much the human body has worn out during this time. As the RUS AGE study, which is being implemented on the basis of the Russian Gerontological Research and Clinical Center of the N.I. Pirogov RNIMU, shows, these indicators often do not coincide. The biological age, which consists of the general condition of certain organs and systems of the body, may differ from the passport in a greater or lesser direction. In this case, the risks should be reviewed. Medicine cannot influence the passport age in any way, but the biological age can be adjusted," she said.
To date, the so—called biomarkers of aging have been identified and continue to be studied - indicators of the body that can be checked by laboratory or instrumental methods, Sergeeva pointed out. These include, for example, the elasticity of the vascular wall, the presence of atherosclerotic plaques, walking speed, muscle strength, the level of total protein in the blood, and so on.
According to the expert, the capabilities of modern gerontology make it possible to influence these biomarkers, thereby slowing down the aging process and, accordingly, reducing the biological age of a person. Therefore, one of the measures of stroke prevention is to determine one's biological age, which can be done on the basis of the RGNCC, and, if necessary, adjust it.
The doctor also named other risk factors for stroke, controlling which you can adjust, including your biological age. So, in the presence of arterial hypertension, daily monitoring of blood pressure is recommended. In case of violation of the lipid composition of the blood, it is recommended to determine the lipid spectrum and the atherogenicity index in the blood. In case of physical inactivity, aerobic exercise is needed for at least 40 minutes three times a week. If a person has obstructive apnea syndrome, he should undergo inpatient polysomnography under the supervision of medical personnel.
In addition, smoking, alcohol abuse and taking oral contraceptives without a doctor's appointment are risk factors for stroke.
"Genetic predisposition is considered a risk factor for stroke, which is difficult to influence. However, timely detection of this problem and contacting a doctor to determine a prevention and treatment strategy, as well as correction of the above—mentioned concomitant pathological conditions will reduce the role of such a factor," concluded Sergeeva.