#StrokePrevention

A growing body of scientific evidence highlights vitamin D’s crucial role in heart health—and a newly published review suggests vitamin D may lower stroke risk by up to 17%, offering promising, actionable insights for citizens in Thailand and beyond. This report unpacks what the latest findings mean, the practical realities for Thai people, and how awareness of vitamin D could shape the nation’s approach to preventing cardiovascular diseases.

The newly published review, featured in the journal Nutrients and summarized by EatingWell, delves into recent clinical research examining vitamin D’s relationship with major cardiovascular events, particularly stroke. The headline finding: among people already taking medications for heart health, vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 13% to 17% decrease in the risk of such incidents. Experts acknowledge that while vitamin D’s fundamental importance to bodily functions—ranging from bone health to immune regulation—is well established, its additional effects on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases warrant even closer consideration.

A growing body of research suggests that vitamin D, often known as the “sunshine vitamin,” may play a significant role in lowering the risk of major cardiovascular events, including stroke. According to a new narrative review published in the journal Nutrients and reported by EatingWell (eatingwell.com), regular supplementation of vitamin D could reduce the risk of stroke by up to 17%. This revelation is especially relevant for Thai readers, given the high prevalence of heart disease and stroke in Thailand and Southeast Asia, where diet, lifestyle, and even cultural attitudes toward sun exposure can influence vitamin D status.

A growing body of new research is turning long-held assumptions about “mini-strokes” upside down, revealing that the effects of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) may linger far longer than previously thought. Once regarded as brief episodes with symptoms that disappear within a day, these transient strokes are now understood to pose significant long-term health risks—including persistent fatigue, cognitive decline, and an elevated risk of subsequent strokes and cardiovascular events. As experts warn against taking a TIA lightly, the implications for Thai patients and the healthcare system are profound, demanding heightened awareness, rapid intervention, and ongoing support.

A recent article published by HuffPost has shed new light on habits doctors warn everyone to avoid to dramatically reduce the risk of stroke — a disease that remains a silent but deadly threat worldwide, including in Thailand. Leading neurologists shared insights on seven lifestyle choices that can silently elevate stroke risk, and urge the public to make proactive changes for healthy brains and bodies throughout life. With strokes still ranking among the top causes of death and disability, preventive measures have never been more essential for Thai society.

Medical experts are sounding the alarm about lifestyle habits that make strokes far more likely—a message urgently relevant to the Thai public, given the rising incidence of stroke across the Kingdom. According to a recent article published by HuffPost, leading stroke doctors have shared seven crucial pitfalls to avoid, each linked to preventable behaviors that stealthily put millions at risk of permanent disability or even death (HuffPost). As Thailand faces changing dietary norms, growing urbanization, and an aging population, the lessons from this research are more pertinent than ever for local readers.

As stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, health experts are urging the public to recognize its three most critical and visible symptoms: facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech disturbances. With new research highlighting the importance of swift action, specialists warn that identifying these signs and seeking immediate medical help can mean the difference between survival, permanent disability, or even death (Times of India).

In Thailand, stroke is a particularly urgent health concern. Not only is it the country’s leading cause of death among both men and women, but it also leaves tens of thousands with lasting disabilities every year (PMC Stroke Epidemiology in Thailand). Despite improvements in healthcare, recent epidemiological data show that the national stroke mortality has continued to rise over the past several years. According to data from the Ministry of Public Health, the mortality rate for stroke in Thailand increased from 20.8 to 30.7 per 100,000 people between 2008 and 2012—a concerning trend that underscores the need for public awareness (PMC Stroke Epidemiology in Thailand).

A sweeping new study is transforming how doctors and everyday people understand brain health, identifying 17 intertwined risk and protective factors that can lower your risk of stroke, dementia, and late-life depression simultaneously. This research, led by Dr. Sanjula Singh of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Brain Care Labs and recently covered by The New York Times, signals hope for many—especially Thais facing rapidly aging demographics—who may view these conditions as separate and inevitable. In reality, as experts now confirm, the conditions are deeply linked by underlying changes in the brain’s small blood vessels, offering opportunities to take preventive action on multiple fronts at once (The New York Times, 2025).