Fatal stroke risk

Fatal stroke risk assesses the likelihood of someone experiencing a stroke that results in death. A stroke happens when the blood flow to the brain is blocked (ischemic stroke) or when sudden bleeding occurs within the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).
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Roughly 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic, typically caused by plaque buildup or a blood clot. Plaque buildup within the arterial walls causes a condition known as atherosclerosis. This plaque hardens and narrows the artery, restricting blood flow to the brain. Other conditions like atrial fibrillation and sickle cell disease can cause blood clots in the brain, which can also lead to ischemic stroke.
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With hemorrhagic stroke, an artery within the brain breaks open, leaking blood within the brain and causing it to swell. Elevated pressure within the brain can damage brain cells.
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Strokes can be dangerous and even fatal, which makes calculating fatal stroke risk paramount when assessing somebody’s health and longevity. A fatal stroke risk considers the following when estimating someone’s likelihood of dying from stroke:
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Age. Older age is associated with increased risk of stroke.
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Conditions affecting the blood vessels. Issues like high blood pressure, arteriovenous malformations, and aneurysm can increase the likelihood of bleeding in the brain.
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Other health conditions. Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, carotid artery disease, and heart valve disease share similar risk factors to strokes.
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Lifestyle habits. Things like poor diet, physical inactivity, and smoking can all increase someone’s risk of stroke.
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Additionally, mental health and stress levels, family medical history, environment, race, ethnicity, and sex can all contribute to one’s fatal stroke risk.