Risk of stroke: Night heat also affects younger people

Risk of stroke: Night heat also affects younger people

In an alarming development on the subject of stroke, a new study shows that nightly heat increases the risk of this disease. This could mean that this health problem will become more serious in the future, especially for older people who are already susceptible to strokes. Research carried out at the University Hospital of Augsburg suggests that extreme climate relationships play a role in the increase in stroke.

The study and its results

Researchers from the University Hospital Augsburg have evaluated data from 11,000 stroke patients over a period of 15 years. According to the results, an increase in the nightly temperatures is noticeable, which has led to an increase in stroke in recent years. From 2013 to 2020 in particular, there were an average of 33 additional strokes per year due to extreme heat.

Risk factors and their importance

Hypertension, Smoking, Obesity and Diabetes are known risk factors for strokes. The new realization that heat is also a risk factor is considered to be worrying. Professor Dr. Markus Naumann, director of neurology at the clinic, emphasizes that older people in particular often do not consume enough liquid, which can lead to an increased risk. "Actually, older people in particular would have to drink half a liter of water before going to bed," says Naumann.

The perspective for those affected

Young people are also not immune to strokes. One example is 21-year-old Vanessa Andersen, who came to the clinic through symptoms such as a tickling nose and deafness and was finally diagnosed with a stroke. The causes of stroke in younger people are often unknown, a fact that applies in about 30 percent of cases. Nevertheless, physical rehabilitation, how it goes through Vanessa, can lead to considerable progress. Despite her challenges, it is optimistic because the healing process in younger patients is generally faster.

Future strategies for stroke prevention

One of the long-term objectives of the study authors is the development of an app that informs risk patients in good time before heat warnings. These could help reduce the number of strokes by targeted indications, such as sufficient fluid intake and avoiding direct sunlight. Since the conditions that lead to strokes are diverse, a holistic approach that takes into account both heat -related and traditional risk factors is necessary to take suitable preventive measures.

The results of this study are not only alarming, they also point to a relevant trend: climate change has a noticeable effect on public health. It is crucial that both the health community and society recognize these relationships as a whole and take suitable measures.

- Nag