A study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan in the United States revealed that the severity of a stroke directly affects the risk of developing dementia and memory decline.
The study analyzed data from more than 42,000 people, including about 1,500 stroke patients, over a follow-up period of up to 30 years. The researchers found that the risk of developing dementia is directly related to the severity of the disease: after a mild stroke, the risk of developing dementia increases almost twice, after a moderate stroke, the risk increases threefold, and after a severe stroke, it increases almost fivefold, compared to people who did not have a stroke.
The researchers noted that all stroke survivors suffered an accelerated decline in cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, and planning ability, and on average, their cognitive condition was equivalent to that of people 1.8 to 2.6 years older than them in terms of "cognitive age".
Scientists confirm that even mild strokes do not go without consequences and are also associated with a gradual decline in brain function. This is because a stroke damages blood vessels and nerve conductors, reducing the brain's ability to adapt and compensate for age-related changes. Chronic inflammation, small vessel diseases, and processes associated with Alzheimer's disease also play a role.
Researchers believe that controlling blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol, along with preventing recurrent strokes, plays a key role in reducing the risk of dementia after a stroke.
