What! Global Stroke Deaths Could Increase To Nearly 5 Million By 2030: Study

A study predicts that by 2030, there will be close to five million deaths worldwide due to ischemic stroke. The study, which was written up in the journal Neurology, concentrated on ischemic strokes, which are the most frequent kind of stroke and are brought on by a blockage in the blood supply to the brain.

According to the study,

There were two million deaths worldwide due to the disorder in 1990 and more than three million in 2019.

“This increase in the global death toll of ischemic stroke along with a predicted further increase in the future is concerning, but ischemic stroke is highly preventable,” said study author Lize Xiong, of Tongji University in Shanghai, China.

“Our results suggest that a combination of lifestyle factors like smoking and a diet high in sodium along with other factors such as high blood pressure and high body mass index can lead to an increased risk of stroke,” Xiong said.

Data from the Global Health Data Exchange from 1990 to 2019 was analysed by the researchers. The number of ischemic stroke deaths worldwide rose from 2.04 million in 1990 to 3.29 million in 2019 as the world’s population grew.

However,

The stroke rate decreased from 66 strokes per 100,000 people in 1990 to 44 strokes per 100,000 people in 2019, the researchers said.

“This decrease in the stroke rate likely means that the overall increase in the number of strokes worldwide is mainly due to population growth and ageing,” Xiong said.

Researchers discovered that the increased number of strokes was caused by seven major risk factors, including smoking, a diet high in sodium, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney dysfunction, high blood sugar, and a high body mass index (BMI).

They next projected the death toll for the years 2020–2030 using the database. According to the study, there will be 4.9 million deaths from ischemic stroke worldwide in 2030.

Researchers calculated the risk factors and estimated that 6.4 million people could die from stroke worldwide if these risk factors are not managed or avoided.

“This study provides an insightful perspective on the global burden of ischemic stroke,” said editorial author Carlos Cantu-Brito, from the Salvador Zubiran National Institute of Health Sciences and Nutrition in Mexico.

“It points out many vital factors that should be used for informed policymaking, emphasising the need for policies and programmes to promote healthy lifestyle choices, including regular physical activity, low-salt diets, and smoking cessation,” Cantu-Brito said.

A limitation of the study was that quality and accuracy of disease data from some countries cannot be guaranteed as many did not have reliable information on strokes, the researchers added.

Also read: Children’s Literature In Punjab Is a Gel Of Imaginations And Rich Culture