“Stroke is a disease that lies at the intersection of neurological health and cardiovascular health,” said Holly Elser, an epidemiologist and neurology resident at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, who conducted the study.
The study’s findings are “an interesting finding that people who have sustained a head injury may benefit from evidence-based stroke prevention methods, such as lowering blood cholesterol and blood pressure if they are elevated.” “It’s making it more likely,” she added.
The researchers compared the stroke diagnosis rate in people with a previous head injury to those without a previous head injury and found that ischemic stroke was 32% more likely in people with a head injury. It was found that the percentage increase. According to the study, people who sustained two or more head injuries were 94 percent more likely to have a stroke than those without head injuries.
Unpublished research presented at the annual meeting. American Academy of Neurology In September, we analyzed data from Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study 12,813 US adults recruited between 1987 and 1989.
ARIC is promising The study follows people over time, collecting over 30 years of health data related to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease among participants in four U.S. communities: Forsyth County, North Carolina. I am. Jackson, Mississippi. 8 locations in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. and Washington County, Maryland.
After 30 years, 2,158 people had sustained head injuries, 73% of which were mild, and 147 of those with head injuries ultimately suffered an ischemic stroke, Elser said. Thirty-four people with stroke had a history of multiple head injuries, she said.
Although this study did not aim to directly examine the mechanisms linking head injury and future stroke, it is possible that head injury causes local and systemic inflammation and vascular changes that increase risk. Yes, Elser said. Alternatively, behavioral changes after a head injury (such as decreased physical activity) may increase risk.
expert opinion
Andrew E. BudsonChief of Cognitive Behavioral Neurology and Deputy Chief of Staff for Education at the VA Boston Healthcare System, who was not involved in the study, explains how scientists define traumatic brain injury. He said it is unclear.
“My suspicion is that traumatic brain injury must be serious and not relevant to people who hit their heads on cabinet doors or kids who play soccer,” he says.
Kevin ShethA professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Yale University School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study, also called the study “provocative” but said additional evidence is needed to establish a link. Stated.
“We don’t know for sure whether head trauma causes strokes,” Sheth said.
According to , there were more than 69,000 traumatic brain injury-related deaths in the United States in 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These can occur during falls, firearm use, motor vehicle accidents, assaults, sports-related injuries such as football and soccer, and military operations, which are significant risk factors for older adults.
According to the report, millions of Americans over the age of 65 experience falls each year. CDC. According to the CDC, this translates to 1 in 4 falls in older adults, more than 800,000 emergency department visits, and 1 in 5 falls resulting in a hip fracture, other fractures, or head fracture. This means that the person has suffered serious injuries such as external injuries.Main cause is falls injury and death The CDC says this is the case in this age group.
“Head injuries are associated with an increased risk of long-term morbidity and mortality, and our research supports the prevention of head injuries through strategies to reduce fall risk in older adults and measures such as seat belt laws. “It emphasizes the importance,” Elser said.
He said it’s important for older adults to talk to their doctors about their risk of falls and consider using assistive devices, such as canes or walkers, if needed.
“People who are not at risk of falling should take precautions such as always wearing a seat belt in a car and a helmet when riding a bicycle,” she said.