Increased risk of dementia after stroke How to prevent it

Stop smoking, exercise and healthy eating to prevent dementia after stroke

A few months ago, a study was published, which showed that after a stroke, the risk of dementia doubled. But there are ways and means of preventing the danger. Important here is a healthy lifestyle without cigarettes and with plenty of exercise and balanced nutrition.

Over a quarter of a million strokes a year

According to health experts, over a quarter of a million people in Germany suffer a stroke each year. The so-called cerebral infarction is one of the most common causes of death in this country. Those who survive the disease have a much higher risk of reoccurring with their peers without preloading. After several cerebral infarctions, the probability of developing vascular dementia increases significantly. Experts explain how both diseases are related - and how prevention can succeed.

After a stroke increases the risk of developing dementia. Experts explain how to prevent both diseases. (Image: highwaystarz / fotolia.com)

Nerve cells in the brain are damaged

As the German Stroke Society (DSG) writes in a statement, annually more than 260,000 people in Germany suffer a stroke.

"Nerve cells in a certain area of ​​the brain are damaged by a blocked or burst vessel," explains Professor Dr. med. med. Wolf-Rüdiger Schäbitz, press spokesman of the DSG.

"Patients may experience symptoms such as paralysis of the facial or body muscles and may not be able to speak properly."

Even single strokes can lead to a dementing syndrome

Recent studies have confirmed that even single strokes in strategically important brain regions can lead to memory disorders and in rare cases to a dementing syndrome.

This type of so-called vascular (vascular) dementia is caused by a disturbed blood supply to the brain tissue, especially when several strokes occur.

"While a stroke is usually not that critical, the risk of suffering from vascular dementia gradually increases after several events," says Schäbitz.

In contrast, Alzheimer's dementia develops chronically continuously. Here, the memory disorder is triggered by the slow death of nerve cells.

While in Alzheimer's short-term memory and the temporal and spatial orientation are disturbed early, are in patients with vascular dementia concentration and thinking disorders but also disorders in the functioning of everyday functions and gait disorders in the foreground.

Two diseases with identical risk factors

In stroke and vascular dementia, the identical risk factors exist.

"These include too high blood pressure, certain heart diseases such as atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus," explains Professor. med. Martin Dichgans, 2nd Chairman of the DSG.

"And also fat metabolism disorders, obesity, smoking and lack of exercise increase the risk of stroke and thus for a vascular dementia," said the expert.

Measures that can prevent a stroke thus also counteract this form of dementia.

Above all, people who already had one or more brain infarcts and those who are at an increased risk should, in the opinion of the experts, carry out targeted prevention.

How to specifically prevent a stroke

"With sufficient exercise - about half an hour per day - and a healthy diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, salads, legumes and fish, a stroke can be specifically prevented," says Professor Schäbitz.

He also strongly recommends smokers to get their grip on the cigarette. Patients with high blood pressure should have this drug properly adjusted.

Also, atrial fibrillation as a possible cause of stroke is an important risk factor for dementia, as recent studies show.

"Therefore, after a stroke intensive search for it and if the atrial fibrillation is detected, patients must necessarily be taken with the use of drugs for blood thinning - ie with an oral anticoagulation -", the expert said.

"Those who change their lifestyle after the first stroke and treat their risk factors consistently can not only significantly reduce the risk of suffering another stroke, but effectively prevent the development of vascular dementia," concludes Schäbitz. (Ad)