Photo credit: www.sciencedaily.com

Study Highlights Long-Term Stroke Risks Following Minor Stroke or TIA

Research from the University of Calgary indicates that individuals who have experienced a minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) remain at a significantly elevated risk for subsequent more severe strokes for several years.

Traditionally, emphasis has been placed on mitigating stroke risks within the first 90 days following a TIA or minor stroke—the period identified as presenting the highest likelihood of a second stroke. However, recent investigations reveal that this heightened risk does not just fade after a few months but persists and remains considerable for at least a decade afterward, according to Dr. Faizan Khan, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and the study’s lead author. “These findings underscore the necessity for individuals to remain vigilant regarding their health. Continuous attention to stroke risk factors, like elevated blood pressure, is critical not only upon hospital discharge but throughout a person’s lifetime,” he emphasizes.

This comprehensive study involved a global collaboration spearheaded by researchers from the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the CSM. The research comprised an analysis of anonymized data from 171,068 patients across diverse hospital- and community-based studies conducted in 20 countries spread over four continents. Khan asserts that the implications of this research are globally relevant.

Published in JAMA, the study reveals alarming statistics indicating that the risk of experiencing a subsequent stroke is 5.9 percent within the first year, escalating to 12.8 percent within five years, and reaching 19.8 percent by the ten-year mark.

Dr. Michael Hill, MD, a neurologist and professor at CSM, and a principal investigator for the study, commented on adherence to medical guidance: “Over time, individuals’ commitment to following medical recommendations can diminish. Once they start to feel better, and as time passes since the initial stroke, they might question the need for ongoing medication and lifestyle modifications.” Hill hopes the study will act as a wake-up call, particularly when considering that one in five individuals may face another stroke within a decade, with approximately 10 percent of those being fatal. This context may encourage patients to maintain their health regimens.

The study’s findings carry implications not only for those who have experienced a stroke but also for healthcare professionals. Khan notes, “While many individuals receive care from a neurologist immediately following a minor stroke or TIA, their follow-up care often transitions away from specialized neurological services to general practitioners in the community. Our research advocates for healthcare providers to recognize the ongoing risk of future strokes and to consider implementing long-term monitoring and risk reduction strategies beyond the initial critical phase.”

The researchers aspire that these findings will serve as a benchmark to enhance long-term preventive care efforts and stimulate further exploration into effective strategies for sustained prevention.

Source
www.sciencedaily.com