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Stroke may be the first symptom of COVID-19 in patients under the age of 50, scientists warn. It was the results of their research that led them to draw this disturbing conclusion. They were published in the medical journal “Neurology”. What did they show?
- Out of 100 patients hospitalized for COVID-19, two have a stroke. In this group, as much as 35 percent. it dies as a result of the combination of these two conditions
- Combined old age, comorbid chronic diseases, and exacerbation of respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19 contribute to the increased risk of death.
- The most surprising finding: almost one in two hospitalized patients under 50 had no other obvious symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of stroke
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
Since the beginning of the pandemic, scientists have tried their best to understand and characterize the symptoms and health consequences of COVID-19. One of the most worrying is the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels, which can result in clots and, consequently, a stroke.
What is a stroke?
An ischemic stroke occurs because an artery that supplies the brain with blood is blocked – the cause may be the blood clots that have formed. As a result, blood does not flow through the artery, or it does so in very small amounts, which are not sufficient for the cells to receive an adequate amount of it. As a result, parts of the brain are damaged or die.
Scientists suspect that inflammation caused by infection and hypercoagulability (excessive blood clotting) may contribute to stroke in people with COVID-19, resulting in blood clots forming in the blood vessels.
- Seven atypical symptoms of COVID-19 that we don’t take into account
Biggest surprise: stroke in younger people is the first sign of COVID-19
The potential link between SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection and stroke was determined by scientists from Western University in Canada and the British Lawson Health Research Institute working under the leadership of Dr. Luciano Zawodato. The aim of the work was not only to better understand the mechanism that made stroke more likely, but also to help with treatment planning.
What did the research of scientists show? An article on the topic was published in the academic medical journal “Neurology”. Researchers report that out of 100 patients admitted to hospital because of COVID-19, two suffer a stroke. In this group, as much as 35 percent. it dies as a result of the combination of these two conditions.
- The unusual complications of COVID-19 include: strokes in young people
The researchers also found that combined old age, co-morbid chronic diseases and the severity of COVID-19-related respiratory symptoms contribute to the increased risk of death.
What was most surprising, however, was that nearly every second hospitalized patient under the age of 50 had no other obvious symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of stroke. One of the most amazing conclusions of the study is that many of the patients under 50 who suffered a stroke were actually asymptomatic. This means that in their case, the stroke was the first symptom of COVID-19, said Dr Skutato.
A message for healthcare professionals
Understanding the relationship between COVID-19 and stroke is important for treatment planning, particularly where COVID-19 is “actively circulating in the community,” he points out.
The message for healthcare professionals is that if they see a patient with a stroke, especially if they are under 50 years of age, they must take into account that COVID-19 may be the likely cause, even when there are no symptoms. parts of the respiratory system – points out Skutato.
– COVID-19 has changed the perception of strokes around the world. As stroke neurologists, we need a new mindset to be able to quickly diagnose and treat COVID-19-related stroke patients, said Dr. Sebastian Fridman, a Lawson researcher involved in this study.
When dealing with neurological problems, quick action is essential. At haloDoctor.pl, you can arrange an online teleconsultation with a neurologist. Make an appointment with the first symptoms – do not delay.
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