The researchers identified 3,314 women aged 70 and over and at high risk of hip fracture from primary care clinics. The women were randomly split into two groups.

The treatment group received advice from a practice nurse on how to reduce the risk of fracture and were given calcium and vitamin D tablets to take daily. The control group received only a leaflet on diet and prevention of falls. All women were monitored for an average of two years.

Over the monitoring period, fracture rates were lower than expected but did not significantly differ between the groups. There was no evidence that supplements reduced the risk of fractures or falling, or improved quality of life.

Putting this study in the context of other trials suggests that calcium and vitamin D supplementation may not be an effective intervention for reducing fractures in primary care, conclude the authors.

Contact:David Torgerson, Director of York Trials Unit, Department of HealthSciences, University of York, UKTel: +44 (0)1904 321 340; Mobile: +44 (0)7803 901 536Email: djt6york.ac

Click here to view full paper

bmj

"In some instances, following a healthy diet and including regular exercise is not enough to reduce your risk of stroke, so ask your doctor about medication that will help and take it as prescribed. Remember, even if you are taking medication, a healthy diet and exercise continue to play an important role in your health," Brooks says.

Because those who suffer stroke are not the only victims, family members, including children, are among the many faces of stroke.

"When I had a stroke, it affected my eightyear old son. We had to take it one day at a time. At first there was an emotional toll on all of us. Once we understood how to deal with the sudden changes that affected our family, we were actually able to cope and build a stronger family unit," said Deanne Stein. Stein is a news reporter with WOWK Channel 13 in Huntington, West Virginia. She suffered an ischemicstroke at age 31 while at the news station preparing a story for the evening news.

Taking simple actions now against even one risk factor can help reduce the risk of having a stroke.

Commit to the American Stroke Association's stroke pledge and join the movement to fight stroke. Get your blood pressure checked. If it's 140/90 mm Hg or higher, control it. Visit your doctor regularly to monitor your health. If you smoke, stop! Start physical activity. Try to work up to accumulating 30 minutes of activity on most or all days of the week.

It is never too late to take action against stroke. For more information about the American Stroke Association or how you can join the "movement" to fight stroke, call 18884STROKE or visit strokeassociation.

strokeassociation