Stroke (cerebrovascular accident) is a disease caused by a sudden disturbance of blood circulation in an area of the brain. When the blood does not arrive, that area loses its function. Suddenly, there are things the body can’t do and these are the symptoms. There are two types of stroke: cerebral infarction or ischemic stroke that occurs because a clot blocks an artery and blood cannot flow; and the cerebral hemorrhage or hemorrhagic stroke that appears when the blood vessel ruptures and blood rushes into the brain. Both share the same warning signs and if only one appears you should call 112.
In Spain, Every year approximately 120,000 people suffer from strokes and approximately 25,000 die. Projections from the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) suggest that, in less than 15 years, the number of stroke cases will increase by 35%. Furthermore, if preventive measures are not taken, a 45% increase in deaths from this reason and a 25% increase in the number of survivors with disabilities are expected in Europe over the next 10 years.
The good news is that a significant percentage of cases can be prevented if controlled modifiable risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels and diabetes, reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption, follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise.
Now, a study published in ‘Neurology’, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that people with diseases or habits such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm) or smoking, not only have a higher risk of suffering a stroke but also may suffer more serious strokes compared to people without these risk factors.
“Stroke can cause disability or even death, but there are several risk factors that people can modify with a lifestyle change or medications. Our findings highlight the importance of controlling stroke risk factors, particularly hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and smoking, to prevent a severe, disabling stroke,” says study author Catriona Reddin, PhD at the University of Galway (Ireland) and member of the American Academy of Neurology.
26,948 people from 32 countries with an average age of 62 years participated in the study. In this group, half the people had had a stroke and the other half had not. Participants without strokes were matched by age and gender to people who had suffered a stroke. Of the patients with stroke, 4,848 had a severe one and 8,612 had a mild to moderate one.
Severe stroke was defined as one with outcomes ranging from the inability to walk or care for oneself without assistance to the need for constant nursing care or death. Mild to moderate stroke was defined as having outcomes ranging from no symptoms to needing help with self-care but being able to walk without help from another person.
The researchers determined the following risk factors for each person: blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg; atrial fibrillation; diabetes; high cholesterol; smoking; alcohol consumption; quality of diet; physical inactivity; psychological and social stress; and excess body fat around the waist (waist-to-hip ratio).
The researchers compared the importance of risk factors for suffering a severe stroke and a mild-to-moderate stroke with those of people who had not suffered one.
Seventy-four percent of patients with severe stroke had hypertension, compared with 72% of patients with mild to moderate stroke. Regarding atrial fibrillation, 11% of patients with severe stroke had the condition compared to 9% of patients with mild to moderate stroke. In both groups, 30% were active smokers.
After adjusting the data for age, sex, country and type of stroke, the researchers found this people with high blood pressure were 3.2 times more likely to have a severe stroke and 2.9 times more likely to have a mild to moderate stroke than people without this condition.
They discovered that too people with atrial fibrillation were 4.7 times more likely to suffer a severe stroke and are 3.6 times more likely to suffer a mild to moderate stroke than people without the condition.
People who smoked were 1.9 times more likely to suffer a severe stroke and 1.7 times more likely to suffer a mild to moderate stroke than people who do not currently smoke.
«Our findings highlight the importance of controlling high blood pressure, which is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke worldwide. “This is particularly relevant for low- and middle-income countries that have rapidly increasing rates of hypertension and stroke at young ages,” notes Reddin.
What are the warning signs of a stroke that everyone should know?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Stroke Expert Catriona Reddin, PhD
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, Dr. Catriona Reddin! We’re excited to have you here to discuss a critical health issue that affects so many—strokes. To start, could you explain what a stroke is and how it impacts the body?
Catriona Reddin: Thank you for having me! A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident, occurs when there’s a sudden disruption in blood flow to a part of the brain. This interruption means that the affected area loses its function, leading to various symptoms that can range from muscle weakness to speech difficulties, depending on where the stroke occurs in the brain.
Editor: That’s a clear explanation, thank you! I understand there are two primary types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Could you briefly elaborate on the differences?
Catriona Reddin: Certainly! Ischemic strokes, which are the most common, happen when a blood clot blocks an artery, preventing blood from reaching the brain. On the other hand, hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in or around the brain. Although they have different causes, both types can lead to severe disability or even death.
Editor: That leads us to the statistics in Spain. It’s concerning that about 120,000 people suffer from strokes each year, with roughly 25,000 fatalities. What trends are you seeing in the data, and how might the situation worsen in the coming years?
Catriona Reddin: The projections are indeed alarming. According to the Spanish Society of Neurology, we could see a 35% increase in stroke cases within just 15 years, and a dramatic rise in related deaths and disabilities if we don’t implement preventive measures. The looming threats of an aging population and rising lifestyle-related risk factors are significant contributors to this trend.
Editor: Prevention is key. You mentioned modifiable risk factors—could you highlight some lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of stroke?
Catriona Reddin: Absolutely. Controlling factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes is crucial. Additionally, reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in regular physical exercise are all impactful lifestyle changes. These adjustments can significantly lower the likelihood of experiencing a stroke and, importantly, can reduce the severity of strokes if they do occur.
Editor: Your recent study emphasized the risks posed by conditions like hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Can you discuss the importance of managing these risks?
Catriona Reddin: Our findings highlight that those with conditions like hypertension or atrial fibrillation not only have a higher likelihood of suffering a stroke, but they may also experience more severe strokes. This underscores the vital nature of controlling these modifiable risk factors to prevent serious consequences, such as severe disability or even death.
Editor: You surveyed nearly 27,000 participants across 32 countries. What were some of the key risk factors you identified that lead to severe strokes?
Catriona Reddin: We found that elevated blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes were significant risk factors. Moreover, lifestyle factors such as diet quality, physical inactivity, and psychological stress also played roles. Understanding and addressing these factors can help mitigate the risk of severe strokes.
Editor: That’s invaluable information. For those watching, what immediate steps can they take today to protect themselves or their loved ones from stroke risk?
Catriona Reddin: The first step is awareness—taking note of personal health factors is crucial. Regular check-ups with healthcare providers to monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels, alongside adopting healthier lifestyle choices, such as improved diet and increased physical activity, can make a significant impact. And, of course, recognizing the warning signs of a stroke and acting quickly by calling emergency services if they appear is essential.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Reddin, for your insights and this vital information. It’s clear that while strokes pose serious risks, there are many proactive steps that can be taken to mitigate those risks.
Catriona Reddin: Thank you for having me! Together, we can work towards raising awareness and promoting preventive measures to combat the rising tide of strokes.