risk factors Flashcards
1
Q
AGEING
A
Non-modifiable
- as we age our arteries become harder and narrower
- can be reduced by regular exercise
- old age can negatively impact stroke recovery
2
Q
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
A
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
3
Q
CHILDHOOD STROKE
A
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
4
Q
ETHNICITY
A
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
5
Q
GENDER
A
non modifiable
- men higher risk than women
- women over 75 higher risk than men
- women older when they experience their first stroke
6
Q
Heart failure
A
non modifiable
- often caused by coronary artery disease
- heart cannot pump our al the blood that returns to it - low ejection fraction
7
Q
ALCOHOL
A
Modifiable
- hypertension + impaired blood clotting mechanisms
- damages the liver causing excessive bleeding (including in the brain) due to liver not adequately making proteins.
8
Q
ATHEROSCLEROSIS + ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
A
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
9
Q
DIABETES TYPE 2
A
modifiable
- diabetes almost doubles your risk of having a stroke
- if left untreated or uncontrolled it increases the risk of vascular disease
10
Q
DRUG ABUSE
A
Modifiable
- stimulants more commonly associated with stroke
- e.g. amphetamine and cocaine
- amphetamine can cause extreme levels of high blood pressure
11
Q
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
A
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
12
Q
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
A
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
13
Q
OBESITY
A
Modifiable
14
Q
SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE
A
Modifiable
- physical inactivity can lead to obesity
- obesity to high blood pressure or cholesterol
15
Q
SMOKING
A
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
