Factors that increase the risk of stroke by 56%

Vietnam is among the countries with the highest risk of stroke in the world, with an estimated rate of over 218/100,000 people. With a population of nearly 100 million, Vietnam has over 200,000 stroke cases each year.

A stroke is a serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. In most cases, a blood clot blocks blood flow. Strokes can also be caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain.

Certain factors can increase your risk of having a stroke, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. Lifestyle habits can also affect your risk of stroke. The NHS therefore advises people to stop smoking and cut down on alcohol. Experts also recommend regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet.

A study has revealed another hidden risk factor for strokes that affect millions of Britons. The results were published inThe Lancetshows that people who feel lonely for a long time are more susceptible to stroke.

The study participants were interviewed twice, four years apart. This is the first time that loneliness has been examined at different points in time. Previous studies have only looked at feelings of loneliness at one point in time.

Data from the US Health and Retirement Study, conducted between 2006 and 2018 on 8,000 people. They focused on people aged 50 and older. Volunteers were classified according to the severity of their loneliness and whether it was persistent or a one-time occurrence.

People who were less lonely or had only recently felt lonely had a 25% higher risk of stroke.

People with persistently high levels of loneliness had a significantly higher risk of stroke (56%).

According to data from the Campaign to End Loneliness, 49% of adults in the UK have felt lonely to some degree in 2022. Around 7% of people (3.83 million) experience chronic loneliness, meaning they often or always feel lonely.

“In conclusion, loneliness may be associated with a higher risk of stroke, and people experiencing chronic loneliness may be at particularly high risk. Addressing loneliness may be important in stroke prevention,” the study concluded.

Stroke symptoms are often remembered under the acronym FAST:

F (Face) - Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A (Arms) - Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S (Speech) - Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does he or she slur their words?

T (Time) - If you see any of the above signs, call emergency services immediately.