Stroke is less deadly in thicknesses

Obese with better chances of survival after a stroke

01/04/2013

In obese and obese people, stroke is less likely to kill than normal weight, according to a study by the research team headed by Professor Wolfram Döhner from the Center for Stroke Research at the Berlin Charité. The physicians had the connections between the body mass index (BMI) and the health consequences of a stroke based on the data of 1,521 patients „a multicenter stroke study from 2003 to 2005“ The Charité reports in a recent press release.

The result of the researchers surprised. Although overweight and obese people are more likely to have a stroke than normal weight, the long-term consequences are often less dramatic. „Patients with obesity or obesity die less often after a stroke and have fewer disabilities than those with ideal weight“, so the message of the Berlin Charité. The researchers also found that thick people may experience a first stroke more often, but the risk of a second stroke for overweight patients who have had a stroke is no higher than normal weight. The study results have Professor Döhner and colleagues in the journal „European Heart Journal“ released.

Strokes in overweight and obese more common but less severe
Analysis of the data of stroke patients has revealed that „People with underweight are the hardest hit by a stroke“ are, reports the Berlin Charité. In the overweight group, however, the risk of dying from a stroke was 14 percent lower than in those with an assumed ideal weight (BMI 18.5 to 25). Obese (BMI over 30) patients even had a 24 to 45 percent lower mortality risk after a stroke. The seemingly contradictory connections are considered by the medical profession „Obesity paradox“ designated. This is „has been observed in the past in other chronic diseases, such as heart failure“ according to the Charité. The current study shows now „For the first time, the obesity paradox is also true in stroke.“ This is expressed by the fact that overweight people die less frequently from a stroke, suffer less disabilities and are less in need of care than normal weight persons.

Treatment guidelines for stroke patients need to be adjusted
A possible reason for a better chance of surviving the overweight after a stroke is, according to the researchers, that the fat deposits are the metabolism in stressful situations as reserves available. Basically „new knowledge for patients with stroke“, because „The treatment guidelines for strokes in Germany, in Europe and in the USA have all recommended a reduction in weight after a first stroke, if obesity or obesity exists“, reports the Berlin Charité. Thus, the current study results in contrast to „the common recommendation for patients to lose weight after a first stroke.“ In this case, weight management in patients with existing medical conditions must be fundamentally reoriented, emphasized Prof. Döhner. However, this realization is contrary „our hammered mantra of slimness as a universal health guarantor.“ With regard to the primary prevention of stroke, it is also true that overweight by weight reduction can significantly reduce the risk of a first stroke. (Fp)

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Image: Dieter Schütz