People with memory decline or worsening thinking are more likely to suffer a stroke even if they have not yet been diagnosed with dementia, according to a study published in the journal Neurology.
A stroke is a disorder of the brain that results from disturbances in blood circulation such as ischemia caused by a clot blocking an artery (ischemic stroke) or a haemorrhage due to a rupture of a vessel (haemorrhagic stroke). Traditionally, a stroke is referred to when the disorder persists for more than 24 hours. When it lasts shorter, it is referred to as a transient ischemic attaca (TIA) disturbance of the cerebral circulation. Recently, however, more and more experts agree that TIAs lasting more than an hour can be considered a stroke as it causes permanent brain damage in the form of necrotic foci. The most common symptoms of a stroke include unilateral paresis of the body or one limb, unilateral sensory disturbance, disturbance of the facial muscles – contortion or falling of the corner of the mouth, speech and vision disorders. It may also lead to imbalances and disturbances in consciousness and life functions.
Stroke is the leading cause of disability and death among the elderly, so early identification of the most vulnerable people is very important, as it will allow you to take preventive measures, explains one of the authors of the study, Bernice Wiberg from Uppsala University in Sweden.
Scientists from his team studied 930 men aged close to the age of 70. None of them had had a stroke before.
They were subjected to three mental tests: the first tested concentration of attention and visual-motor skills, the second – the ability to implement and modify plans, and the third was a test traditionally used by doctors to assess mental decline.
During 13 years of follow-up, 166 men developed a stroke (more often ischemic) or TIA.
It found that those who scored the worst in the test of the ability to implement and change plans were three times more likely to have a stroke or a TIA than those who did best. The results of the other two tests were not related to the risk of stroke.
Our research indicates that declining mental performance may be a factor in indicating an increased risk of stroke, whether a person has already been diagnosed with dementia or not, Wiberg comments. This is probably because it reflects some kind of disturbance in blood circulation in the brain. (PAP)