Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 6:11 p.m.
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A recent European study found that most people who suffered an ischemic stroke had previously undiagnosed underlying conditions.
High cholesterol, high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation were the main risk factors for stroke. However, younger patients, non-Caucasian people and women under the age of 55 who use contraceptives were more likely to have undiagnosed stroke risk factors, according to a study cited by medicalnewstoday.
Experts say that stroke, sometimes called a stroke, is a leading cause of brain injury, long-term disability and death.
And at least 4 out of 5 strokes are ischemic strokes. This happens when a blood clot or other substance blocks the blood and oxygen from reaching a part of the brain.
Researchers at the Vaudois Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, found that 67.7% of stroke patients have at least one major risk factor. However, people were never diagnosed with the disease before the stroke.
Common risk factors for stroke
The researchers investigated the medical records of 4,354 stroke patients in the Lausanne Registry and Stroke Analysis (ASTRAL) from 2003 to 2018. Of these patients, 1,125 had previously undiagnosed major risk factors (UMRF).
- The main risk factor was dyslipidemia, seen in 61.4% of patients. This condition is characterized by high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides.
- High blood pressure, the second most common risk factor, affected 23.7% of the individuals studied.
- Approximately 10.2% of patients had atrial fibrillation, which can cause rapid and irregular heartbeats.
Dr. André Rêgo, the lead author of the study, mentioned others eight major risk factors explore in the study: other heart problems, including silent heart disease, diabetes, diet, obesity, stress, smoking and alcohol.
“So what we did was create two groups, the first with patients who didn’t know they had the first five risk factors (potentially unknown) and compared to the second group with the remaining patients who would be aware that they have at least one of these five. Both groups could have any number of the remaining five major risk factors, ”explained Dr. Rêgo.
Why are the factors undetected?
Dr. Rêgo and his team believed that many people overlook these undetected risk factors because they do not seek or adhere to preventive care. The researchers assumed that financial reasons can sometimes limit visits to the doctor.
Also, certain risk factors can be silenced, which may lead people to believe that nothing is wrong. Dr. Rêgo imagined that “people can react more to symptomatic health problems.”
For example, the study found that people with a lower body mass index were more likely to be unaware of vascular risk factors before having a stroke. He speculated that these individuals have “less perception of being at risk.”
Who has the highest risk of stroke
Experts at the Vaudois Center also noted that patients with UMRF are more likely to be younger and not Caucasian.
Women under 55 who used contraceptives and patients aged 55 and over who smoked were also prone to have at least one UMRF.
On the other hand, people taking anticoagulants before stroke were less likely to have an undiagnosed stroke risk factor. The researchers observed the same trend with people who had a higher body mass index.
How can we prevent stroke?
There are things we can do to prevent these strokes. Experts say many of these strokes can be prevented.
The main risk factors – dyslipidemia, hypertension and atrial fibrillation – are all treatable.
“It simply came to our notice then. You don’t just have to wait and see. In fact, you can check your cholesterol and blood pressure. If you have atrial fibrillation, see your doctor and get an anticoagulant, ”said neurologist Jason Tarpley of California.
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