Non -traditional risk factors associated with stroke in adults under 50

Adults under the age of 50 were more than twice the risk of having a stroke from migraine or other risk factors of non -traditional stroke rather than traditional hazards such as high blood pressure, according to research published today in the RapThe scientific journal of the American Stroke Association, a part of the American Heart Union.

Previous research shows that the rate of ischemic (caused by clot) stroke between adults aged 18-49 is increased and promoted by the corresponding increase in cryptogenic strokes (strokes of unknown cause) in adults without Pressure, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

By half of all ischemic strokes in younger adults are unknown causes and are more common in women. For effective prevention, careful and usual evaluation of both traditional and non -traditional risk factors in younger people are critical. We should also carefully project people as they have a stroke to prevent future strokes. ”

Jukka Putaala, MD, Ph.D., M.Sc., Study writer, Head of the stroke unit at Neurocenter, at Helsinki University Hospital in Helsinki, Finland

Researchers analyzed data for more than 1,000 adults aged 18-49 in Europe, with an average age of 41 years. Half of the participants had experienced a cryptogenic ischemic stroke, while half had no history of stroke. The study examined the associations of 12 traditional risk factors, 10 non -traditional risk factors and five risk factors for women (such as pregnancy diabetes or pregnancy complications). The researchers also closely reviewed the participants with a heart defect called Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), a hole between the upper heart chambers. A PFO is usually harmless, but it is known to increase the chances of stroke. The study aims to determine which risk factors make more to unexplained strokes.

The analysis was found:

• Traditional risk factors were more associated with stroke in men and women without PFO.
• In contrast, non -traditional risk factors, such as veins blood clots, migraine with aura, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease or cancer, were more associated with stroke between participants in PFO study.
• In those who did not have PFOs, each traditional risk factor increased the risk of stroke by 41%, while each non -traditional risk factor increased the risk of stroke by 70%.
• Women -related risk factors have also increased the risk of stroke by 70% independent of traditional and non -traditional risk factors.
• Among PFO participants, each traditional risk factor increased the risk of a stroke by 18%. However, after examining individual demographic factors, such as age, gender and level of education, non -traditional risk factors have more than doubled the chances of having ischemic stroke.

The researchers also analyzed the demanding risk of the study population (defining how a disease would be affected if a certain risk factor was eliminated). To calculate the risk that may be distributed by the population, the researchers have analyzed each risk factor and their contribution to increased risk separately and found:

• For strokes that occur without PFO, traditional risk factors represented about 65% of cases, non -traditional risk factors contributed 27% and risk factors involving women who made up almost 19% of cases.
• In contrast, for strokes associated with a PFO, traditional risk factors have contributed about 34%, non -traditional risk factors represented 49%and risk factors for specific women representing about 22%.
• Specifically, aura migraine was the leading non -traditional risk factor associated with strokes of unknown origin, with a risk that can be distributed by a population of about 46% for strokes between people with PFO and about 23% for those without PFOs suggesting higher risk.

“We were amazed at the role of non -traditional risk factors, especially migraine headaches, which seems to be one of the leading risk factors in the development of strokes in younger adults,” Putaala said. “Our results should inform the professional health community to develop a more adapted approach to the evaluation and management of the risk factor.

The president of the American Heart Union of Clinical Cardiology (CLCD)/Women’s Health Science Committee, Tracy E. Madsen, MD, Ph.D., Faha, said: “This study is useful because the authors present with gender and age group. Contributors to the risk of stroke in younger women could change our approach to controlling these dangers and training of our patients throughout their lifetime. ” MD College of Medicine at the University of Bermond in Burlington, Vermond.

Study restrictions include an observation study, which means it was a review and analysis of existing health data in patients involved in another test or database. Therefore, the findings of this study cannot prove the cause and the result. The study was also based on risk factors reported by the patient, which may affect accuracy. In addition, 95% of participants reported self -service that they are white adults of European descent, which limits the possibility of applying the findings to other populations.

Study details, background and design:

• The study included 523 adults aged 18-49 years (average age of 41 years, 47.3% female, 37.5% with PFO) who had undergone cryptogenic ischemic stroke and 523 peers of similar age without a history of stroke.
• The purpose of the review was to evaluate the traditional and non -traditional risk factors associated with an increased risk of cryptogenic ischemic stroke.
• Participants participated in the search for explanations for cryptogenic stroke in young people: revealing secretions, causes and outcomes in 19 centers in 13 European nations (Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Lithuania, Lithuania, Lithuania, Lithuania, Lithuania, Lithuania States.