POMC and ischemic stroke: In addition, given that maternal adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels decline rapidly when breastfeeding,45,46 lactation can downregulate high cortisol levels and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity after delivery,47 which may further introduce favorable cardiovascular outcomes and reduced risks of CVDs, like ischemic stroke.48,49 Given that ICH is generally caused by deep perforating vasculopathy due to high blood pressure,50 which is also a cardiovascular-related issue, similar findings from the association between lactation duration and ICH could be interpreted.