Editor's Note - May 2014
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious long-term adult disability.1,2 On average, 1 American dies from a stroke every 4 minutes—resulting in more than 795,000 people suffering from a stroke each year.1 Of these, 610,000 are first or new strokes.1
Sometimes referred to as a brain attack, a stroke cuts off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, which increases the risk of permanent brain damage, disability, or death.2
The good news: up to 50% of all strokes are preventable.3 Controllable risk factors include high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, uncontrolled diabetes, high total cholesterol, smoking, alcohol, weight, and existing coronary artery disease.
Consultant360 recently highlighted several studies on strokes that provided the following insights:
• Lifestyle changes. Individuals with insomnia, especially young adults between the ages of 18 and 34, may be 8 times more likely to suffer a stroke than those getting a full night sleep.4
• Early diagnosis. Of the 187,188 stroke admissions in emergency departments, 1 in every 10 were discharged with a diagnosis of a headache or dizziness. This was especially noted in women, minority groups, and patients under the age of 45.5
• Risk factors. By keeping their blood pressure consistently controlled, stroke survivors can reduce their risk of a second stroke by more than 50%.6
• Comorbidities. Poorly controlled hypertension may increase the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation by as much as 50%.7
Sincerely,
Pooja Shah
Managing Editor, Consultant and Consultant360
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke. 2014. Available at: www.cdc.gov/stroke. Accessed April 29, 2014.
2. National Stroke Association. Stroke 101: Fast Facts on Stroke. Available at: www.stroke.org/site/DocServer/STROKE101_2009.pdf?docID=4541. Accessed April 29, 2014.
3. Cleveland Clinic. Stroke: Information You Should Know. Available at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/carotid/stroke.aspx. Accessed April 29, 2014.
4. Potts M. A good night sleep cuts risk of stroke. Consultant360. 2014 Apr 12. Available at: www.consultant360.com/exclusives/good-night-sleep-cuts-risk-stroke. Accessed April 29, 2014.
5. Potts M. Emergency departments often miss stroke diagnosis. Consultant360. 2014 Apr 11. Available at: www.consultant360.com/exclusives/emergency-departments-often-miss-stroke-diagnosis. Accessed April 29, 2014.
6. Mullarkey C. Controlling BP cuts second stroke risk in half. Consultant360. 2014 Apr 3. Available at: www.consultant360.com/exclusives/controlling-bp-cuts-second-stroke-risk-half. Accessed April 29, 2014.
7. Musante A. Poorly controlled hypertension can increase stroke risk by 50%. Consultant360. Available at: www.consultant360.com/exclusives/controlling-bp-high-risk-atrial-fibrillation-patients. Accessed April 29, 2014.