A recent study published by the CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) has found that people with cognitive impairment are significantly more likely to have a stroke, with a 39% increased risk, than people with normal cognitive function.
The researchers observed a significantly higher rate of strokes in people with cognitive impairment than in people with normal cognitive function.
The authors said “We found that the risk of future stroke was 39% higher among patients with cognitive impairment at baseline than among those with normal cognitive function at baseline.”
“This risk increased to 64% when a broadly adopted definition of cognitive impairment was used.” They added.
The study in CMAJ, which was carried out by researchers in South Korea, Taiwan and the United States, analyzed data from 18 studies of over 120,000 people with cognitive impairment, of whom 7799 later had strokes. Most of the included studies were conducted in North America or Europe.
Cognitive impairment and stroke are major contributors to disability, and stroke is the second leading cause of death across the world. Although stroke is linked to the development and worsening of cognitive impairment, it is not known whether the opposite is true. Previous studies that have looked at the link between cognitive impairment and subsequent stroke have been inconsistent in their findings, but the chance still remains open for those who suffer from it.
Cognitive Impairment and Strokes Expected to Soar
Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele, Chair of the Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina says “Given the projected substantial rise in the number of older people around the world, prevalence rates of cognitive impairment and stroke are expected to soar over the next several decades, especially in high-income countries,”
Blockage of blood vessels in the brain (brain infarcts), atherosclerosis, inflammation and other vascular conditions are associated with a higher risk of stroke and cognitive impairment and may contribute to the increased risk.
The authors concluded their research by saying “Cognitive impairment should be more broadly recognized as a possible early clinical manifestation of cerebral infarction, so that timely management of vascular risk factors can be instituted to potentially prevent future stroke events and to avoid further deterioration of cognitive health.”
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