Why are there more and more patients with cerebral infarction? These are the high-risk factors

Stroke, or more accurately, cerebral infarction , seems to be far away from young people, but in fact it may happen to us at any time.

According to the "China Stroke Prevention and Control Report (2023)", stroke is the leading cause of death and acquired disability in China. The number of stroke patients aged 40 and above in China is as high as 12.42 million . On average, one person dies from stroke every 28 seconds, and the onset of the disease tends to be younger .

Why are more and more people suffering from stroke?

Stroke is divided into two types, ischemic stroke (commonly known as "cerebral infarction") and hemorrhagic stroke (commonly known as "cerebral hemorrhage"), among which cerebral infarction is the most common type .

Cerebral infarction occurs when blood vessels in the brain become blocked, causing brain cells to lose blood supply and be unable to obtain sugar and oxygen in the blood, resulting in temporary or even permanent damage, causing behavioral changes or disorders, loss of comprehension, inability to express oneself, and even death.

The accomplices that cause the brain's blood supply to be cut off usually include the following↓

Chronic diseases: Many middle-aged people suffer from high blood pressure, high blood lipids and diabetes without knowing it. They do not have regular physical examinations and do not take medication on time after diagnosis. Their condition cannot be controlled, greatly increasing the risk of cerebral infarction.

Unhealthy lifestyle: staying up late for a long time, frequent smoking and drinking, high-fat and salt diet, lack of physical activity and obesity are all risk factors for stroke.

Being in a state of high stress for a long time: Mental stress such as anxiety, depression and frustration may weaken the body's immunity and increase inflammatory response, thereby increasing the risk of cerebral infarction.

These abnormalities in the body

Beware of signs of cerebral infarction

Cerebral infarction usually occurs suddenly. Short-term weakness and slurred speech may be precursors. You can quickly make a judgment by using the " 120" formula .

In addition, a cerebral infarction can cause partial loss of body function and sensation. If any of the following symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention.

It is worth noting that the symptoms of transient ischemic attack (TIA) are similar, and usually they can be cured by resting for a few minutes. However, we should not take it lightly at this time. Although transient ischemic attack is not directly equivalent to cerebral infarction, it may also be an early warning sign . If the cause is not eliminated, it will not only be prone to recurrence, but also aggravate the symptoms.

There are three key points to prevent and control stroke

Stroke is not a terminal illness. As long as it is prevented and controlled early, the disease can be avoided and the sequelae can be reduced.

For patients with underlying chronic diseases, good disease management is the most basic and effective way to prevent stroke.

According to guideline recommendations, adjusting lifestyle also has a positive impact on reducing the incidence of stroke.

For patients who can participate in exercise, they should participate in aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times a week, each time for about 40 minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity aerobic exercise.

Eating a balanced diet every day and eating more high-quality protein foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and shrimp can also help prevent stroke.

Finally, here are a few universal health maintenance rules for everyone, which are very helpful in preventing and controlling stroke and other diseases:

Try to drink less alcohol, avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol and alcoholism; quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke; and manage your weight.

References

[1] Sun Yameng, Chen Ying, Lin Yan, et al. Stroke prevention guidelines for patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack: American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines[J]. Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, 2014, 11(02): 61-112.

[3] Chinese Hypertension Health Management Standards (2019), Chinese Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases

[4] Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in China (2020 edition), Chinese Journal of Diabetes, 2021, 13(4): 315-409

[5] [Guidelines and consensus] Chinese guidelines for blood lipid management (2023), Chinese Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 2023, 51(3): 221-255

[6] Overview of Stroke - Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment

Planning and production

Source: 39 Health Network (ID: health39net)

Reviewer: Zhao Wei, Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology, Tianjin Teda Hospital

Editor: Wang Mengru

Proofread by Xu Lailinlin