risk factors

Question 1

AGEING

Answer 1

Non-modifiable

• as we age our arteries become harder and narrower
• can be reduced by regular exercise
• old age can negatively impact stroke recovery

Question 2

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Answer 2

Non-modifiable

• contributing factor in up to 1 in 5 strokes
• one of the most common forms of abnormal heart rhythm
• Sino-Atrial node sends irregular messages to the atria
• irregular messages cause Atria to twitch
• increases risk of stroke due to increased risk of clot forming
• treatment = medication, cardioversion, catheter ablation, sometimes pacemaker

Question 3

CHILDHOOD STROKE

Answer 3

non modifiable

• over 400 childhood strokes a year
  
  • 25% of those 400 in children under 1 yr old
  • 50% in children aged 1-10
  • 25% in children over 11
• 50% due to a bleed vs 15% in adults
• children who have had none or just some of their vaccines have 8x higher risk of clots vs vaccinated
• 19x higher if congenital heart disease

Question 4

ETHNICITY

Answer 4

Non modifiable

• black people are twice as likely to have a stroke and at a younger age than white people
• white people are more likely to develop AF
• south Asian origin = higher risk of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes

Question 5

GENDER

Answer 5

non modifiable

• men higher risk than women
• women over 75 higher risk than men
• women older when they experience their first stroke

Question 6

Heart failure

Answer 6

non modifiable

• often caused by coronary artery disease
• heart cannot pump our al the blood that returns to it - low ejection fraction

Question 7

ALCOHOL

Answer 7

Modifiable

• hypertension + impaired blood clotting mechanisms
• damages the liver causing excessive bleeding (including in the brain) due to liver not adequately making proteins.

Question 8

ATHEROSCLEROSIS + ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Answer 8

modifiable

• arteriosclerosis - stiffening or hardening of artery walls
• atherosclerosis - narrowing of artery because of plaque build up
• those who’ve had a heart attack due to atherosclerosis have more than twice the risk of stroke
• preventable with healthy lifestyle

Question 9

DIABETES TYPE 2

Answer 9

modifiable

• diabetes almost doubles your risk of having a stroke
• if left untreated or uncontrolled it increases the risk of vascular disease

Question 10

DRUG ABUSE

Answer 10

Modifiable

• stimulants more commonly associated with stroke
• e.g. amphetamine and cocaine
• amphetamine can cause extreme levels of high blood pressure

Question 11

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Answer 11

modifiable

• if your blood pressure is high a lot of strain is placed on your blood vessels
• your heart also has to work hard to keep your blood circulating

Question 12

HIGH CHOLESTEROL

Answer 12

modifiable

• LDL = bad cholesterol
• HDL = good cholesterol
• too much LDL can build up in arteries and restrict blood flow and increase risk of blood clot

Question 13

OBESITY

Answer 13

Modifiable

Question 14

SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE

Answer 14

Modifiable

• physical inactivity can lead to obesity
• obesity to high blood pressure or cholesterol

Question 15

SMOKING

Answer 15

Modifiable

• nearly doubles the risk of ischaemic stroke
• increases blood pressure
• reduces oxygen carried in the blood
• makes blood stickier
• damages blood vessel walls
• patients who resume smoking after stroke increase their risk of death by three fold within one year

Question 16

STRESS

Answer 16

Modifiable

- chronic stress = four times more likely to suffer from a stroke