A study involving over 26,000 people across 32 countries found that high blood pressure, smoking, and atrial fibrillation are linked to increased severity of stroke. Among participants, 74% with severe stroke had high blood pressure, 11% had atrial fibrillation, and 30% were current smokers. High blood pressure was associated with 3.2 times higher likelihood of severe stroke, while atrial fibrillation was linked to a 4.7 times higher risk. Controlling these risk factors through lifestyle changes or medication can reduce the risk of severe stroke. The study highlights the importance of detecting and treating hypertension to lower stroke severity risk globally.
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High blood pressure, smoking, and irregular heartbeat linked with stroke severity – research
