Based on the findings of a new study, it has been found that a stroke has the ability of tacking on 8 years on the brain, causing distortion of memory and slowing overall thinking speed. The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Michigan. The researchers examined and analyzed national data from over 4,900 African-American and Caucasian Americans who were aged 65 and older; in addition to undergoing a number of memory tests and thinking speed tests between 1998 and 2012.
According to the study, which is set to be published in the July issue of the medical journal Stroke, test results of those who experienced a stroke dropped by a significant amount; as if their brains had suddenly aged by 7.9 years. What’s more, the study revealed a stroke had similar effects on brain function in both African-Americans and Caucasians. However, prior research indicates that levels of memory and thinking speed issues in older African-Americans are usually double that of Caucasians. The researches note that these new discoveries illustrate that stroke is not entirely responsible for that racial disparity as people age. Not to mention underlining the significance of stroke prevention.
“As we search for the key drivers of the known disparities in cognitive, mental, decline between blacks and whites, we focus here on the role of ‘health shocks’ such as strokes,” said assistant professor in the University of Michigan medical school, and lead author of the study, Dr. Deborah Levine.
“Although we found that stroke does not explain the difference, these results show the amount of cognitive ageing that stroke brings on, and therefore the importance of stroke prevention to reduce the risk of cognitive decline,” added Levine.
A stroke can occur when the blood supply that goes to the brain is disrupted or obstructed in any way. The end result is not a welcomed one. Basic control over movement, perception, speech, or other mental or bodily functions can become heavily impaired. Additionally, in extreme cases total consciousness itself may be lost. Interruptions of blood flow to the brain usually lead to the event of a stroke.
In order to reduce the risk of suffering a stroke, patients are encouraged to engage in a healthier lifestyle. This means being in control of their cholesterol levels, along with levels in blood pressure. In addition to not smoking, regular exercise, controlling blood sugar in the case of diabetics, and limiting alcohol consumption. And now because of improved treatment and higher awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure the overall mortality rate from stroke is declining. However, stroke remains the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease, cancer, and lung disease.
Recovery from stroke is dependent upon the extent and location of brain damage. It is possible that some stroke victims never fully recover, with a large portion of cases having lasting physical or mental impairment. Stroke victims are also susceptible to other diseases such as pneumonia and depression. And if not treated properly, can seriously jeopardize recovery.
