A new study reveals that controlling high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and smoking significantly reduces the risk of severe strokes. Researchers stress the necessity of lifestyle changes for stroke prevention.
Conditions like high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and smoking significantly increase the risk of having a severe stroke, according to a study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
This large-scale research, encompassing data from 26,948 individuals across 32 countries with an average age of 62, represents a significant leap in understanding stroke prevention. Half of the participants had experienced a stroke, while the other half had not, allowing for comprehensive comparative analysis.
“Stroke can cause disability or death, yet many risk factors can be managed with lifestyle changes or medication,” lead author Catriona Reddin, a researcher at University of Galway and Geriatric Medicine Specialist Registrar at Health Services Executive Ireland, said in a news release.
The study revealed that high blood pressure was present in 74% of individuals who had severe strokes, compared to 72% in those with mild to moderate strokes. Additionally, 11% of those experiencing severe strokes had atrial fibrillation versus 9% with milder strokes. Both groups showed a 30% smoking rate.
By adjusting for variables such as age, sex, country and stroke type, the researchers concluded that those with high blood pressure were 3.2 times more likely to suffer a severe stroke. Similarly, those with atrial fibrillation and smokers were 4.7 times and 1.9 times more likely, respectively, to have a severe stroke.
“Our results show that controlling high blood pressure, along with managing atrial fibrillation and avoiding smoking, are especially importance [sic] in reducing the risk of severe stroke,” added Reddin.
The implications of these findings are particularly pressing for lower- and middle-income countries, which are experiencing rising rates of high blood pressure and strokes among younger populations.
“Our findings emphasize the importance of controlling high blood pressure, which is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke globally,” Reddin said in this news release.
This emphasizes the need for better public health strategies and treatment accessibility in vulnerable regions.
While the study sheds light on critical risk factors, it’s important to note some limitations, such as the exclusion of factors like cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which also affect stroke severity.
This study underscores the transformative potential of proactive health management in reducing severe stroke incidences, paving the way for enhanced quality of life and reduced health care burdens globally.