Skip to main content

Study Identifies Risk Factors Associated With Severe Stroke

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 14, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2024 -- Hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and smoking are more strongly associated with severe stroke than nonsevere stroke, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in Neurology.

Catriona Reddin, M.B., B.Ch., from the University of Galway in Ireland, and colleagues examined whether the importance of individual risk factors for stroke differ by stroke severity. Stroke severity was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score within 72 hours of hospital admission.

Of the 13,460 patients with acute stroke, 64.0 and 36.0 percent were reported to have mRS scores of 0 to 3 (nonsevere stroke) and 4 to 6 (severe stroke), respectively. The researchers found stronger associations with severe stroke versus nonsevere stroke for hypertension (odds ratios, 3.21 and 2.87, respectively), atrial fibrillation (odds ratios, 4.70 and 3.61, respectively), and smoking (odds ratios, 1.87 and 1.65, respectively). A stronger association with nonsevere versus severe stroke was seen for waist-to-hip ratio.

"Our results support efforts to control hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and smoking to prevent severe, disabling stroke," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Lorundrostat Beneficial for BP Reduction in Uncontrolled Hypertension

WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 -- For patients with uncontrolled and treatment-resistant hypertension, lorundrostat is associated with greater reductions in blood pressure than...

Intensive BP Reduction Effective for Lowering All-Cause Dementia Risk

TUESDAY, April 29, 2025 -- An intensive blood pressure (BP) reduction intervention is effective for lowering the risk for all-cause dementia among individuals aged 40 years and...

Faster Walking Pace Cuts Risk for Cardiac Arrhythmias

FRIDAY, April 25, 2025 -- Average and brisk walking pace are associated with a decreased risk for cardiac arrhythmias, according to a study published online April 15 in...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.