Significant increase in the number of people who suffered new strokehad health problems or died from a stroke, during the last 30 years, it is found in a research published in the journal “The Lancet Neurology”.

Specifically, the number of people who suffered a new stroke increased from 1990 to 2021 to 11.9 million worldwide (a 70% increase since 1990), and stroke survivors increased to 93.8 million (an 86% increase). Stroke-related deaths rose to 7.3 million (a 44% increase) making the condition the third leading cause of death worldwide (after ischemic heart disease and Covid-19). More than three-quarters of people who suffer from strokes live in low- and middle-income countries.

The authors note that strokes are increasing largely due to population growth and the increasing aging of the population worldwide, but also due to the increasing influence of environmental, metabolic and behavioral risk factors.

The contribution of high temperatures to ill health and premature death from stroke has increased by 72% since 1990, the research found, highlighting the impact of environmental factors on the increasing incidence of strokes. Also, the high contribution of air pollution – at the same level as smoking – to subarachnoid hemorrhage is revealed.

A significant increase has been noted in the global burden of stroke associated, in addition, with a high body mass index (an increase of 88% from 1990 to 2021), high blood sugar (an increase of 32%), a diet high in sugary drinks (23% ), low physical activity (11% increase), high systolic blood pressure (7% increase), and a diet low in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats (5% increase).

The authors note that effective measures must be taken worldwide to improve case surveillance, prevention, patient care and rehabilitation.