- Each year, about 15 million people around the world have a stroke.
- Past studies show having a stroke can increase a person’s risk for certain diseases, such as dementia.
- Researchers from McMaster University report having a stroke increases a person’s dementia risk by 80%, even after accounting for other dementia risk factors.
- Scientists also found dementia risk was three times higher in the first year after a stroke.
Each year, about 15 million people around the world have a stroke — a condition where a blood vessel leading to the brain is blocked or bursts, causing a lack of oxygen to the brain.
Of that number, researchers estimate about half will live with a permanent or chronic disability, such as paralysis on one side of the body, communication difficulties, memory loss, or problems with gripping or holding items.
Past studies also show that having a stroke can increase a person’s risk for diseases such as
Now, new research presented at the American Stroke Association’s
Researchers also found dementia risk was three times higher in the first year after a stroke.
This risk decreased to a 1.5-times increased risk by five years after a stroke and remained elevated 20 years later.
During a stroke, the oxygen flow is cut off to the brain. This can result in the death of brain cells, causing dementia. Vascular dementia is a type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
However, past studies show having a stroke can also increase a person’s risk for another type of dementia, known as
Dr. Raed Joundi is an assistant professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,…
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