Children and teens living in the Stroke Belt states are at about twice as much risk of stroke later on in life according to new findings from the REGARDS study.

Diet is one of many potential factors proposed to explain racial and regional differences in stroke.

The ongoing REGARDS study finds that a 10-millimeter difference in blood pressure can make blacks three times more likely than whites to have a stroke.

High blood pressure and diabetes can also lead to memory and thinking problems.

Professor of neurology, director of the Comprehensive Stroke Research Center and the Division of Cerebrovascular Disease

Areas of expertise: Stroke, TIA, vascular neurology