A new study highlights three major risk factors that not only increase the likelihood of having a stroke but also raise the chances that it will be severe and life-altering.
These factors—smoking, high blood pressure, and atrial fibrillation—are linked to a higher risk of experiencing strokes that leave people unable to walk or care for themselves.
Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, but many of its risks can be reduced through lifestyle changes or medication.
“Our research shows how important it is to manage these risk factors to prevent severe strokes,” explained Dr. Catriona Reddin, a geriatrics researcher at the University of Galway in Ireland.
Understanding the Risk Factors
High Blood Pressure: Often called the “silent killer,” high blood pressure damages blood vessels over time, making them more likely to burst or become blocked—leading to strokes.
The study found that people with high blood pressure were over three times more likely to have a severe stroke compared to those with normal blood pressure.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): This is an irregular heartbeat that can cause blood clots to form in the heart. If these clots travel to the brain, they can block blood flow and cause a stroke.
The study showed that people with AFib were nearly five times more likely to have a severe stroke than those without this condition.
Smoking: Smoking harms blood vessels and raises blood pressure, increasing the likelihood of stroke. Smokers were nearly twice as likely to have severe strokes compared to nonsmokers.
The Impact of Severe Strokes
Severe strokes leave individuals unable to walk or live independently. Many require constant nursing care for the rest of their lives. This highlights the critical need to address these risk factors, especially in regions where high blood pressure is becoming more common at younger ages.
Study Details and Findings
Researchers followed nearly 27,000 people from 32 countries, with an average age of 62. About half of the participants had suffered a stroke, ranging from mild to severe. Key findings included:
- Atrial Fibrillation: Increased the risk of severe strokes by 4.7 times and mild-to-moderate strokes by 3.6 times.
- High Blood Pressure: Increased the risk of severe strokes by 3.2 times and mild-to-moderate strokes by 2.9 times.
- Smoking: Increased the risk of severe strokes by 1.9 times and mild-to-moderate strokes by 1.7 times.
Prevention is Key
Dr. Reddin emphasized the importance of focusing on high blood pressure, which is the most common modifiable risk factor for stroke.
She also noted that the rising rates of high blood pressure and strokes in younger people, especially in low- and middle-income countries, make prevention even more urgent.
Simple steps like quitting smoking, managing blood pressure through medication or diet, and addressing atrial fibrillation with medical care can significantly reduce the risk of stroke.
These changes could save lives and prevent severe disability, underscoring the value of early and consistent intervention.
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 information about health, please see recent studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and wild blueberries can benefit your heart and brain.
The research findings can be found in Neurology.
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