Could COVID-19 Be Causing Strokes? Know the Signs.

Could COVID-19 Be Causing Strokes? Know the Signs .A new, and frightening, expression of COVID-19 infection has surfaced. Numerous physicians around the world are reporting a possibly increased risk for blood clots in patients with COVID-19. Blood clots (what doctors call thrombosis) are particularly worrisome because of the potential consequences. Blood clots in the veins can travel to the lungs (which is called pulmonary embolus), a potentially life-threatening problem. Blood clots in the arterial system are even more alarming because these can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and amputations. COVID-19 appears to increase blood clots in both the arteries and the veins. Although all of the studies are small and observational at this point, one study from the Netherlands showed that 31% of subjects with COVID-19 in the ICU developed blood clots despite usual measures to prevent clotting. Another small study from China showed that 25% of the COVID-19 patients developed blood clots in the veins. These are shockingly high numbers. There’s reason to suspect that COVID-19 could possibly put any of us at risk for stroke. There is a need to be alert for stroke symptoms – sudden weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, seeing, or the onset of a severe headache without other explanation – even if you wouldn’t ordinarily need to be concerned about stroke risk, and even without other signs of COVID-19 infection. if you suspect a stroke in someone else, act F.A.S.T.: F.A.S.T. stands for: F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange? T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call health care line right away. Understandably, some are reluctant to go to the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, but when it comes to a stroke, the consequences of delaying medical treatment could be devastating. Do not delay. Call if anyone has these symptoms.

Meta-analysis shows eggs can reduce stroke risk by 12%

Meta-analysis shows eggs can reduce stroke risk by 12%: Eating up to one egg a day has no association with coronary heart disease (CHD) but does reduce the risk of stroke by 12%, a meta-analysis has suggested. The benefits of eggs to good health are

POLLUTION AND THE RISK OF STROKE.

A report by the American Heart Association, states that stroke may be associated with climate change and air pollution. In a study conducted in the United States and China, the total number of strokes increased as pollution levels rose. Changes in climate may have contributed to the level of air pollution in a region, which in turn contributed to the total number of strokes. The higher pollution levels were linked to a higher total number of strokes, and researchers said it reaffirmed the growing evidence that climate change and overall air quality contributes to cardiovascular disease, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2016. The study, which used data from the United States and China, is one of the first to investigate the interaction between air quality and the number of stroke cases (prevalence) along with the potential effect of temperatures on the association. Across the two countries, researchers found that the total number of stroke cases rose 1.19 percent for each 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) increase of PM2.5. In addition, Liu said researchers found a significant regional variation in PM2.5 levels that was linked to the number of stroke cases.Researchers also found that temperature had an impact on air quality and risk of stroke. Patients with stroke are in danger of dehydration due to high temperatures in the summer, and are in danger of suffering from pneumonia, influenza and other respiratory diseases in winter. Women and the elderly also appear more vulnerable to stroke risk due to air quality and heat-related diseases. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States killing nearly 129,000 people every year, and is a leading cause of disability. Worldwide, the prevalence of stroke stood at 33 million, with 16.9 million people suffering their first stroke, and is the second-leading cause of global death behind heart disease. Although patients cannot control air quality, Liu said, the findings provide evidence for policy makers and public health leaders to develop better models for monitoring and predicting climate changes so that patients can better protect themselves.

Brain researchers demonstrate the importance of oral health in stroke.

A study of patients entering the hospital for acute stroke, researchers have increased their understanding of an association between certain types of stroke and the presence of the oral bacteria (cnm-positive Streptococcus mutans). In the single hospital study, researchers at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, Japan, observed stroke patients to gain a better understanding of the relationship between hemorrhagic stroke and oral bacteria. Among the patients who experienced intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), 26 percent were found to have a specific bacterium in their saliva, cnm-positive S. mutans. Among patients with other types of stroke, only 6 percent tested positive for the bacterium. Strokes are characterized as either ischemic strokes, which involve a blockage of one or more blood vessels supplying the brain, or hemorrhagic strokes, in which blood vessels in the brain rupture, causing bleeding. The researchers also evaluated MRIs of study subjects for the presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMB), small brain hemorrhages which may cause dementia and also often underlie ICH. They found that the number of CMBs was significantly higher in subjects with cnm-positive S. mutans than in those without. This study shows that oral health is important for brain health. People need to take care of their teeth because it is good for their brain and their heart as well as their teeth," Friedland said. "The study and related work in our labs have shown that oral bacteria are involved in several kinds of stroke, including brain hemorrhages and strokes that lead to dementia." Multiple research studies have shown a close association between the presence of gum disease and heart disease, and a 2013 publication by Jan Potempa, Ph.D., D.Sc., of the UofL School of Dentistry, revealed how the bacterium responsible for gum disease worsens rheumatoid arthritis. Excerpts from material from University of Louisville.

German study links red meat to strokes.

German study links red meat to strokes