Globally, one in four people over age 25 is at risk for stroke during their lifetime, according to a new scientific study. Researchers found a nearly five-fold difference in lifetime stroke risk worldwide, with the highest risk in East Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, and lowest in sub-Saharan Africa. The lifetime stroke risk for 25-year-olds in 2016 ranged from 8% to 39%, depending on where they live; people in China have the highest risk.
"Our findings are startling," said the senior author on the study. "It is imperative that physicians warn their patients about preventing strokes and other vascular diseases at earlier points in patients' lives. We found extremely high lifetime risk for stroke, and based on other research we evaluated, it is clear that younger adults need to think about long-term health risks. They can make a real difference by eating healthier diets, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol." The study was published today in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study (GBD), researchers developed a new summary measure that combines one's risk of having a stroke and surviving, with suffering a stroke and dying. For the first time, the study estimates lifetime stroke risk starting at age 25, whereas previous studies begin at age 45.
The authors analyzed the lifetime risk of first-ever stroke, categorized by subtype - ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. They did not assess the lifetime risk of recurring stroke, pediatric stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly known as "mini-stroke," which does not result in permanent brain damage. Findings cover 1990 to 2016 in 195 countries and territories by age and sex.
The findings expose large geographic variations. In 2016, the three regions with the highest estimated lifetime risk of stroke were East Asia (38.8%), Central Europe (31.7%), and Eastern Europe (31.6%); the region with the lowest risk was eastern sub-Saharan Africa (11.8%).
"The lower risk of lifetime stroke in sub-Saharan Africa does not necessarily represent a lower incidence of stroke or more effective prevention and treatment strategies," said the senior author. "On the contrary, people there are merely at higher risk of dying of another cause first."
The burden of stroke among adults is largely dependent on modifiable risk factors and the characteristics of health systems. Therefore, the study's findings may be useful for long-term planning, especially in terms of prevention and public education.
Nations' ministers of health and other policymakers need to develop programs encouraging young adults to eat healthier diets with more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as avoid tobacco and alcohol, and increase physical activity and maintain a healthy weight, Roth said. They also should advocate for lower prices of medications that control high blood pressure and cholesterol..
Countries with highest lifetime stroke risk for individuals beginning at age 25:
1. China: 39.3%
2. Latvia: 37.0%
3. Romania: 36.2%
4. Montenegro: 36.0%
5. Bosnia and Herzegovina: 35.7%
6. Macedonia: 35.2%
7. Serbia: 33.8%
8. Bulgaria: 33.4%
9. Albania: 33.4%
10. Croatia: 33.0%
http://www.healthdata.org/research-article/global-regional-and-country-specific-lifetime-risks-stroke-1990-and-2016
https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1804492
http://sciencemission.com/site/index.php?page=news&type=view&id=publications%2Fglobal-regional-and&filter=22
Latest News
A sperm-specific transporte…
By newseditor
Posted 02 Dec
How molecules in a cell int…
By newseditor
Posted 02 Dec
Genetic programmes underlie…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Dec
APOE variant neurons releas…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Dec
Reducing vitamin B5 slows b…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Dec
Other Top Stories
Strength of contraction determines whether cells become embryo or p…
Read more
Mouth formation during embryonic development
Read more
Laboratory technique recapitulates all stages of egg cell development
Read more
Babies' spatial reasoning predicts later math skills
Read more
Embryos with "heteroplasmy," or the presence of both maternal and p…
Read more
Protocols
Cheap, cost-effective, and…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Dec
Temporally multiplexed imag…
By newseditor
Posted 02 Dec
Efficient elimination of ME…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Dec
Personalized drug screening…
By newseditor
Posted 30 Nov
Multi-chamber cardioids unr…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
Publications
Mitochondria-lysosome-relat…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Dec
Stress granules plug and st…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Dec
Neuronal activation of Gaq…
By newseditor
Posted 02 Dec
Structures of a sperm-speci…
By newseditor
Posted 02 Dec
Formation and function of m…
By newseditor
Posted 02 Dec
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar