Increased iron levels trigger strokes?

Can high iron levels cause a stroke?

A stroke is a life-threatening event that can be caused by several factors. Researchers have now found that people with higher levels of iron in the body are at higher risk for a particular type of stroke.

The scientists from Imperial College London found in their recent study that high levels of iron increase the risk of cardioembolic stroke. The physicians published the results of their study in the English language journal "Stroke".

Certain forms of stroke occur significantly more frequently with increased iron levels. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com)

What are cardioembolic strokes?

The study analyzed the genetic data of more than 48,000 people. The experts found that higher iron levels were associated with an increased risk of cardioembolic stroke. These strokes are typically caused by blood clots that travel from the heart to the brain and block the blood and oxygen supply. Cardioembolic strokes are often associated with atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular heart rate.

Further research on the topic is needed

However, people should not immediately reduce their iron intake, as more research is needed, the researchers say. It used to be thought that higher iron levels could protect against strokes. However, other studies have shown that iron can in some cases lead to the formation of clots. Iron is basically a vital nutrient essential for a number of biological processes in the body, including the transport of oxygen.

Single nucleotide polymorphism can increase or decrease iron status

Using genetic data from public databases, the physicians studied more than 48,000 subjects to find out the effects of genetics on iron status. They specifically focused on three points in the genome, where a single single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) can easily increase or reduce a person's iron status.

Higher iron status was associated with risk of cardioembolic stroke

When researchers looked at these same SNPs in datasets, including the records of 60,000 stroke patients, they found that those with the SNPs for higher iron status had an increased risk of cardioembolic stroke. (As)