Strokes are a major health issue around the world. They can lead to death or cause long-term problems with movement, speech, and memory.
In Ireland alone, about 7,500 people have a stroke each year.
Sadly, around 2,000 of them die. Of those who survive, many are left with serious disabilities. Today, about 30,000 people in Ireland live with the effects of a stroke.
A new study from the National University of Ireland has uncovered possible triggers that may happen shortly before a stroke. These new findings come from the INTERSTROKE study, the largest global research project focused on stroke. The results were published in the European Heart Journal by Professor Andrew Smyth and his team.
The research involved 13,462 stroke patients from 32 countries. The average age of the participants was 62, and they came from a wide range of backgrounds. The study looked at two main types of stroke.
The first is called an ischemic stroke, which happens when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain. This is the most common type. The second is an intracerebral hemorrhage, which is bleeding inside the brain. Both types can cause severe damage.
The researchers found that certain events right before a stroke may increase the risk of having one. One major trigger was strong emotions.
About one in 11 people who had a stroke had felt very angry or upset within the hour before it happened. These emotions were linked to a 30% increase in the risk of stroke. The risk was even greater for people who did not have depression.
Another trigger was heavy physical effort. About one in 20 stroke patients had done intense physical activity shortly before their stroke. This was especially linked to the type of stroke involving bleeding in the brain.
People who had a lower body mass index (BMI), especially women, faced a higher risk. On the other hand, those with an average BMI seemed less affected. The researchers found that these two triggers—emotional stress and physical exertion—did not create an even higher risk when they happened together.
The study highlights the importance of being careful with both emotional and physical health, especially for people who already have heart or blood vessel problems. That doesn’t mean people should avoid all exercise.
In fact, regular and moderate physical activity is known to help prevent strokes. But it may be wise to avoid sudden, intense exercise, especially if you’re at high risk.
Taking care of mental health is just as important. Learning how to manage anger and stress in healthy ways could help lower the risk of stroke. Relaxation techniques, talking to a counselor, or getting enough sleep can all make a difference.
The big takeaway from this study is that both the mind and body play a role in stroke risk. Being aware of what might trigger a stroke could help people make better lifestyle choices. For those already at risk, avoiding sudden emotional or physical stress and focusing on long-term healthy habits might reduce the chances of having a stroke.
If you care about stroke, please read studies about how to eat to prevent stroke, and diets high in flavonoids could help reduce stroke risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and wild blueberries can benefit your heart and brain.
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