New study shows that preventative measures against stroke can reduce incidence, says The Stroke Association

Better control of the risk factors associated with stroke and increased use of preventative medicines have seen a 40% reduction in major stroke over the past 20 years, according to new research published in The Lancet this week.

The Oxford Vascular Study, part-funded by the Stroke Association, looked at the number of reported strokes and transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) in Oxfordshire over the past two years compared to twenty years previously.

The group found that the number of people aged 75 years or over in Oxfordshire had risen by 33%. As stroke is more prevalent in the elderly, it was thus expected that this would result in an overall rise in stroke compared to twenty years ago. However, the study found that the overall incidence in any first stroke had fallen and that major stroke incidence had dropped by 40%.

The profiles of the stroke patients that were analysed for the study were also found to be different to those studied in the 1980s. This may help to explain the overall reduction in stroke that was seen in the region.

More patients were taking ‘preventative’ medicines that help control risk factors for stroke. These included anti-clotting drugs that thin the blood and lower the risk of blood clots, which can block the blood supply to the brain and cause strokes. Patients were also more likely to be taking blood pressure and cholesterol lowering drugs and were less likely to be regular smokers.

“Despite a 33% percent rise in people aged over 75, which we would have expected to result in a rise in stroke, there was a definite reduction in the number of cases identified,” commented Dr Peter Rothwell, lead investigator of the study.

“Whilst we can’t prove conclusively that the fall in stroke incidence is a direct result of the increased use of preventative treatments for stroke and better control of risk factors in general, it is highly likely that the two observations are closely linked, and shows that prevention can be highly effective in the general population. There is still considerable scope for improvements in the use of preventive treatments and further reductions in stroke incidence.’

“Stroke is the currently the third biggest killer in England and Wales, and is the biggest cause of disability. This study shows that preventative approaches against the condition can reduce its incidence, “ commented Dr Joanne Knight, Associate Director of Research and Development at The Stroke Association.

“This is not just in terms of taking medication but also by making simple lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and stopping smoking. Adopting these methods will help to reduce the effects of this devastating disease, but will also reduce financial burden on an already overstretched NHS’

Notes to editor

1. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

2. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

3. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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