Avoid illnesses through early detection

30.08.2022 10:16

A research group from Switzerland evaluated 15 years of data from the Lausanne stroke registry. The researchers paid particular attention to the question of what risk factors those affected had before their stroke and whether they were aware of this risk. Amazing result: Two thirds of the patients had at least one of the classic risk factors for cardiovascular disease without knowing it.

The most common risk factor was elevated cholesterol levels, which had not yet been diagnosed in 38 percent of patients. 23.7 percent had high blood pressure that they did not know about. 10.2 percent suffered from unknown cardiac arrhythmia atrial fibrillation and 5.2 percent from diabetes. Unknown risk factors were particularly common among younger, working people.

Prevention prevents strokes

Conclusion of the study: Current prevention strategies are not enough. In Germany, there are still too few people taking advantage of preventive medical examinations. In addition to increased information, company pension plans could compensate for this shortcoming. The German Stroke Aid offers companies and other organizations missions with its risk test kit. Doctors and health advisors create individual risk profiles for the participants and advise them. Many people learn for the first time that they have a risk factor that requires treatment.