News: Three key strategies remain critical to stroke prevention, study shows

High systolic blood pressure remains a key driver of ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) deaths, but specific regional and sociodemographic challenges are also drivers, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Global data on stroke mortality and risk factors showed that 44.18 per 100,000 people died from IS, 39.09 per 100,000 people died from ICH, and 4.18 per 100,000 people died from SAH, MedPage Today reported.

Researchers analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease database of health outcomes and found that the number of people affected by stroke worldwide exceeded 93.8 million in 2021, with over 7.25 million related deaths. The prevalence of stroke has remained stable in recent decades, with high sociodemographic index (SDI) regions showing progress. However, risk factors can differ across region, age, and sex (e.g., the higher use of tobacco and alcohol among men), and challenges such as air pollution and obesity affect low- and middle-SDI areas.

Based on their results, the authors make the following policy recommendations:

• Strengthen hypertension management through expanded blood pressure screening and treatment programs (particularly in middle- and low-SDI regions)
• Promote clean energy solutions by increasing access to affordable alternatives to solid fuels via government subsidies and international aid programs (particularly in low-SDI areas)
• Implement stricter industrial and vehicular emission controls to reduce ambient particulate matter (particularly for middle-SDI regions)
• Improve nutrition policies, such as introducing regulations on sugar and fat content, promoting healthy eating habits, and enhancing food-labeling practices
• Strengthen tobacco and alcohol control through higher taxation, advertising restrictions, and public awareness campaigns

“In sum, controlling high systolic blood pressure, managing blood sugar and lipid levels, and addressing environmental factors such as air pollution and household air pollution from solid fuels remain critical to stroke prevention,” the study authors wrote. “Tailored strategies that consider the unique challenges of each region will be key in reducing the stroke burden globally.”

Editor’s note: To read MedPage Today’s coverage of this story, click here. To access the study, click here.