A new study reveals three significant risk factors that not only increase the likelihood of a stroke but also raise the chances that it will be severe and life-altering. These factors—smoking, high blood pressure, and atrial fibrillation—are linked to debilitating strokes that can leave patients unable to walk or care for themselves independently. The research, published on November 13 in Neurology, analysed data from nearly 27,000 people across 32 countries, with an average age of 62.
Among these participants, about half had experienced a stroke, with roughly 4,800 having suffered a severe stroke and 8,600 a mild to moderate stroke. After adjusting for other health variables, researchers noted that the presence of these three risk factors sharply increased the likelihood of stroke severity. According to lead investigator Catriona Reddin, a geriatrics researcher at the University of Galway in Ireland, “Stroke can lead to disability or even death, yet there are several risk factors that people can modify with lifestyle changes or medication.
” Reddin stressed that managing high blood pressure, addressing atrial fibrillation, and quitting smoking could significantly reduce the risk of severe strokes. Key Findings from the Study- Atrial fibrillation (AFib): Participants with AFib, a common form of irregular heartbeat, were found to be 4.7 times more likely to have a severe stroke and 3.
6 times more likely to suffer a mild to moderate stroke compared to those without the c.
