Risk factors for a stroke
The following pre-existing conditions or factors favour the development of a stroke and should therefore be eliminated: These factors cause, among other things, the development of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The changes in the vascular wall are a main reason for the formation of thrombi and embolisms in the blood vessel system and thus for the possible occurrence of a stroke. Besides the atrium, the carotid artery is the most common source of these occluding blood clots.
- High blood pressure (= arterial hypertension)
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Overweight
- Lack of exercise
- Fat metabolism disorder
- Increased cholesterol (=hypercholesterolemia)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cardiac arrhythmia (such as atrial fibrillation)
- Stroke in a 1st degree relative under the age of 66
Frequency of the disease in the population:
The probability of suffering a stroke depends on age and in western industrialized countries is 300 per 100. 00 persons per year for the age group 55 to 64 years. For the age group from 65 to 74 years, the risk of suffering a stroke increases to more than double: 800 per 100. 000 persons per year are affected by a stroke.
Course of a stroke
The course of a stroke depends on the location and extent of the circulatory disorder. The stroke is often preceded by so-called transitory ischemic attacks, also known as TIA.This is a kind of harbinger, with symptoms similar to those of a stroke itself. However, according to the current definition, these do not last longer than one hour.
The risk of suffering a stroke in the days following a TIA is about 10%. In the case of a stroke, the circulatory disorder causes cells to die. In many cases, this causes irreparable damage, but the peripheral areas of a stroke are still partially supplied with oxygen and therefore have a longer time window before they die.
Therefore, a quick therapy is crucial in the event of a stroke. If it is a stroke caused by a blood clot, a so-called lysis therapy can be initiated. Here, the time window for an effective and successful therapy is 4.5 hours.
