A new study reveals that children of divorced parents are at a higher risk of stroke

The research, published in the journal PLOS One, found that middle-aged individuals who had divorced parents during childhood or adolescence have a 61% higher risk of stroke. Researchers noted that this risk level is comparable to factors like diabetes and depression.

Lead researcher and psychology lecturer at Ontario’s Tyndale University, Mary Kate Shulke, explained in a news release that even when considering other known stroke risk factors, such as smoking, physical inactivity, low income, education, diabetes, and depression, the likelihood of having a stroke in later life is still 61% higher for those whose parents divorced during their childhood.