
COVID-19 patients have a higher risk of stroke compared to patients with similar infectious conditions such as influenza and sepsis. Research has shown that COVID-19 patients with ischemic strokes are more likely to be older, male, and have high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or an irregular heartbeat. Additionally, COVID-19 has been linked to an increased risk of dangerous blood clots in stroke patients, particularly in those from Black and Asian ethnic backgrounds. While the exact mechanism is still unknown, the coronavirus is understood to be a vascular disease that can affect many organ systems.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Age | Higher risk for older patients |
Pre-existing conditions | Higher risk for those with severe infection and pre-existing vascular conditions, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), coronary artery disease |
Race | Higher risk for Black patients |
Sex | Higher risk for male patients |
Hospitalization | COVID-19 patients with stroke spent an average of 22 days in the hospital, compared to 10 days for patients without stroke |
In-hospital deaths | 37% for stroke patients, 16% for patients without stroke |
What You'll Learn
- COVID-19 patients with ischemic stroke are more likely to be older, male, and Black
- COVID-19 may increase the risk of stroke
- COVID-19 patients are at a higher risk of dangerous blood clots
- COVID-19-associated strokes are more likely to be fatal
- COVID-19-associated strokes are more severe and more likely to result in severe disability
COVID-19 patients with ischemic stroke are more likely to be older, male, and Black
COVID-19 patients who experience an ischemic stroke are more likely to be older, male, and Black. This was the finding of a study presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in 2021. The study analysed data from the American Heart Association's COVID-19 CVD Registry, which included more than 20,000 U.S. adults hospitalized with COVID-19 between January and November 2020.
The study found that COVID-19 patients had an increased risk of stroke compared to patients with similar infectious conditions such as influenza and sepsis. Among COVID-19 patients who experienced a stroke, ischemic strokes were the most common type, accounting for 52.7% of cases. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage in an artery supplying blood to the brain.
Overall, the analysis found that COVID-19 patients with ischemic stroke were more likely to be older, with a higher average age of 65 compared to 61 for COVID-19 patients without a stroke. Additionally, 64% of those with a stroke were male, compared to less than half of those without a stroke.
The study also found racial disparities in stroke risk among COVID-19 patients. Black patients accounted for 27% of the COVID-19 CVD Registry pool but made up 31% of ischemic stroke cases. This suggests that Black Americans may have a higher risk of ischemic stroke after contracting COVID-19.
Furthermore, the study found that patients with COVID-19 and ischemic stroke were more likely to have certain underlying health conditions. 44% of ischemic stroke patients had Type 2 diabetes, compared to about one-third of patients without a stroke. Additionally, 80% of ischemic stroke patients had high blood pressure, compared to 58% of those without a stroke. Other risk factors included atrial fibrillation (18% in ischemic stroke patients vs. 9% in those without a stroke) and irregular heartbeat.
The findings highlight the importance of curbing the spread of COVID-19 and promoting vaccine distribution to protect individuals who may be at higher risk of stroke if infected.
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COVID-19 may increase the risk of stroke
COVID-19 is known for its detrimental impact on the respiratory system, but it can also affect other organs. Recent studies have found that COVID-19 patients are at a higher risk of experiencing a stroke compared to patients with similar infectious conditions, such as influenza and sepsis. This finding suggests that COVID-19 may increase the likelihood of stroke, although the exact mechanism remains unknown.
The American Heart Association's COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease Registry analysed data from over 20,000 U.S. adults hospitalised with COVID-19 through November 2020. The results revealed that 1.4% of these patients experienced a stroke during their hospitalisation, with 52.7% of those being ischemic strokes, which are caused by a blood clot in the brain. The analysis also found that COVID-19 patients who suffered a stroke were more likely to be older, male, and from Black racial backgrounds. Additionally, they often had underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or an irregular heartbeat.
The increased risk of stroke in COVID-19 patients may be attributed to the virus's ability to bind to ACE2 receptors found throughout the body, including in the brain. This allows the virus to enter any cell and potentially affect multiple organ systems. Furthermore, COVID-19 can trigger an excessive immune response known as a "cytokine storm," which can have detrimental effects on various organs, including the brain.
The link between COVID-19 and stroke is particularly concerning given the devastating consequences of stroke on its own. Recovering from COVID-19 can be a challenging process, and when coupled with the impact of stroke, the toll on patients can be significant. As such, it is crucial to curb the spread of COVID-19 through public health interventions and widespread vaccine distribution to minimise the risk of stroke in this vulnerable population.
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COVID-19 patients are at a higher risk of dangerous blood clots
Research has found that COVID-19 patients have an increased risk of stroke compared to patients with similar infectious conditions such as influenza and sepsis. In a study of over 20,000 U.S. adults hospitalized with COVID-19, 1.4% had a stroke during their hospitalization. Of these, 52.7% experienced ischemic stroke, 2.5% had a transient ischemic attack, and 45.2% experienced a bleeding stroke or unspecified type of stroke. The risk of stroke was higher for older males and those with high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or an irregular heartbeat.
The risk of stroke associated with COVID-19 is particularly prominent in the Asian community. A study of over 1400 patients found that nearly 1 in 5 of those with COVID-19 at the time of their stroke were Asian, more than twice the proportion seen in stroke patients without COVID-19. COVID-related strokes were also found to be more severe and more likely to result in disability or death among Asian patients.
The exact mechanism by which COVID-19 increases the risk of stroke is still unknown, but it appears that the virus can affect the vascular system and promote blood clot formation. This information highlights the importance of curbing the spread of COVID-19 through public health interventions and widespread vaccine distribution to protect individuals from the potentially devastating consequences of stroke and other health complications associated with the virus.
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COVID-19-associated strokes are more likely to be fatal
Stroke patients are at risk for COVID-19, with research showing that COVID-19 patients have a higher risk of stroke compared to patients with similar infectious conditions such as influenza and sepsis. This is especially true for ischemic strokes, which account for more than half of all strokes in COVID-19 patients. Ischemic strokes occur when a blood clot forms in the brain and cuts off blood flow, and patients who experience them are more likely to be older, male, and of Black race, as well as having high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or an irregular heartbeat.
COVID19-associated strokes are more likely to be fatal, with in-hospital deaths more than twice as high among stroke patients (37%) compared to patients without stroke (16%). The average hospital stay for stroke patients is also more than double that of patients without stroke, at 22 days compared to 10 days. This highlights the increased severity of COVID-19-associated strokes and their impact on patient outcomes.
The exact mechanism behind the increased risk of stroke in COVID-19 patients is still unknown, but it is clear that COVID-19 is not just a respiratory illness but a vascular disease that can affect multiple organ systems. The American Heart Association's COVID-19 CVD Registry found that 1.4% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients had a stroke confirmed by diagnostic imaging, with ischemic strokes accounting for 52.7% of these cases.
In addition, the risk of stroke in COVID-19 patients varies by race, with Black patients accounting for a higher proportion of ischemic stroke cases (31%) than their representation in the overall COVID-19 CVD Registry pool (27%). This suggests that Black Americans may have a higher risk of ischemic stroke after contracting COVID-19, adding to the disproportionate impact of the virus on communities of color.
While the overall risk of stroke in COVID-19 patients is low, it is important for physicians to understand that the virus is not the only factor contributing to stroke risk. Pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, are also significant factors, and normal diagnostic testing should not be overlooked in COVID-19 patients who experience a stroke.
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COVID-19-associated strokes are more severe and more likely to result in severe disability
COVID-19 patients have a higher risk of stroke compared to patients with similar infectious conditions such as influenza and sepsis. According to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2021, COVID-19 patients with ischemic stroke were more likely to be older, male, Black, or have high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or an irregular heartbeat. The study analysed data from over 20,000 U.S. adults hospitalized with COVID-19 through November 2020.
The analysis also revealed that patients who had a stroke spent an average of 22 days in the hospital, compared to 10 days for those without a stroke. In-hospital deaths were more than twice as high among stroke patients (37%) compared to those without a stroke (16%). These findings suggest that COVID-19 may increase the risk of stroke, but the exact mechanism is still unknown.
In contrast, a paper published in Stroke from Penn Medicine found a low risk of stroke in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. However, it is important to note that the majority of stroke patients in this study had existing risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. This highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between COVID-19 and pre-existing conditions in causing strokes.
The discrepancy between the two studies could be due to various factors, including differences in sample size, demographic characteristics, and the specific time period studied. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between COVID-19 and stroke risk.
Overall, the evidence suggests that COVID-19-associated strokes are more severe and have a higher likelihood of resulting in severe disability or death. The higher risk of stroke in COVID-19 patients underscores the importance of curbing the spread of the virus and continuing to prioritize public health interventions and vaccine distribution.
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Frequently asked questions
COVID-19 patients have a higher risk of stroke compared to patients with similar infectious conditions such as influenza and sepsis. However, the risk of stroke in COVID-19 patients is still considered low, and it is mostly associated with pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
COVID-19 patients with ischemic stroke were more likely to be older, male, and have high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or an irregular heartbeat. The risk of stroke was also higher for Black patients.
Yes, Black patients are at a higher risk of ischemic stroke after contracting COVID-19. Additionally, Asian patients with COVID-19 may be at a higher risk of stroke, according to a UK-based study.
Patients who had a stroke during COVID-19 hospitalization spent an average of 22 days in the hospital, compared to 10 days for those without a stroke. In-hospital deaths were also more than twice as high among stroke patients (37%) compared to those without a stroke (16%).