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February 3, 2024
A groundbreaking study to be presented at the International Stroke Conference in Phoenix reveals a substantial link between stroke survivors and an increased risk of dementia. The research, led by Dr. Raed Joundi from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, analyzed data from approximately 180,000 stroke survivors and underlines the importance of recognizing dementia as a common complication following a stroke.
The study highlights that the likelihood of developing dementia is 80% higher for individuals who have suffered a stroke compared to a matched group from the general population. Even after accounting for other health factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, the risk remained significantly elevated.
Dr. Joundi emphasizes the unique and high-risk nature of dementia after a stroke, reinforcing the need for strategies to lower this risk in the post-stroke population. The research discovered that the highest chances of developing dementia were in the first year following a stroke, with nearly a threefold increased risk. Although the risk gradually declined, it remained elevated over the long term, reaching a 1.5-times increased risk at five years post-stroke.
The study utilized health databases representing over 15 million people in Ontario, Canada, and included individuals with either ischemic stroke (clot-caused) or intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding within the brain). The average age of participants was 69, with 55% being men.
Interestingly, the study found that people who had only experienced a stroke had a similar risk of developing dementia as the general population. This result aligns with previous research indicating that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias may not be higher in patients with a heart attack.
Intracerebral hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain, was identified as a significant factor further increasing the risk of dementia. Individuals with this type of stroke had about a 150% higher likelihood of dementia compared to the general population.
Recurrent strokes were also associated with a heightened risk of dementia, emphasizing the need to consider dementia as a short- and long-term complication of stroke. Surprisingly, dementia diagnosis was more common than having another stroke among survivors.
The American Heart Association’s latest statistics indicate that approximately 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke each year, with stroke-related disabilities impacting daily functioning. The findings of this research provide additional motivation for individuals to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of stroke by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Joundi concludes, “Almost one-fifth of people develop dementia after a stroke, primarily in the first few years. This is a significant issue given the number of people having a stroke is increasing with time due to the aging populations worldwide. There is a major need to develop novel strategies to prevent dementia after a stroke.”
