According to a study presented at the Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) 2022, nearly two-thirds of patients with acute ischemic stroke have at least one undiagnosed major risk factor. These results highlight the need for greater clinician awareness about how this patient population may have unrecognized stroke risk factors stated study investigator André Rêgo, MD, Stroke Center, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

He stated that “If you add one or two more risk factors, like undiagnosed dyslipidemia or mild hypertension, that can be a dangerous cocktail,". Research showed that about 90% of strokes are caused by modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, AF, structural cardiac disease, high body mass index, smoking, psychosocial issues, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet. 

While observing the risk factors, investigators focused on hypertension, dyslipidemia, AF, and silent/new coronary heart disease combined with an ejection fraction of less than 35%. In patients with previously undiagnosed risk factors, 61.4% had newly detected dyslipidemia, followed by hypertension (23.7%), AF (10.2%), diabetes (5.2%), ejection fraction of less than 35% (2.0%), and coronary disease (1.0%) respectively. Meanwhile, women who were unaware of their stroke risk factors were mostly taking contraceptives. 

Mr. ReÌ‚go explained that a combination of elements contributes to the underdiagnosis of stroke risk factors, including poor healthcare access and individuals perceiving themselves to be healthy if theyre young and not overweight. 

(Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/976455)