According to a study published in the journal Neurology, the number of deaths associated with ischemic stroke is expected to increase to nearly 5 million by 2030. Several studies have shown that the number of deaths worldwide from ischemic stroke increased from 2 million in 1990 to more than 3 million in 2019.

Ischemic stroke, the most frequent kind of stroke, is caused by a cessation of blood flow to the brain. Ms. Lize Xiong, from Tongji University in Shanghai, China, noted that the findings of the study suggested that a combination of lifestyle factors like smoking and a diet high in sodium, along with other factors such as high blood pressure and a high body mass index, can lead to an increased risk of stroke.

In the study, the researchers analyzed data from the Global Health Data Exchange collected between 1990 and 2019. The findings of the study showed that as the world population grew, the global number of ischemic stroke deaths increased from 2.04 million in 1990 to 3.29 million in 2019.

The stroke rate, on the other hand, has reduced from 66 strokes per 100,000 people in 1990 to 44 strokes per 100,000 people in 2019. Ms. Xiong explained that this decrease in the stroke rate, despite the overall increase in the number of strokes worldwide, is mainly due to population growth and aging.

The researchers discovered that seven significant risk factors, including smoking, a high-salt diet, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, renal dysfunction, high blood sugar, and a high BMI, led to an increased occurrence of strokes.

When they used the database to forecast the number of fatalities between 2020 and 2030, the researchers discovered that the mortality toll from ischemic stroke is likely to rise to 4.9 million by 2030. Additionally, when the risk factors were considered, researchers anticipated that the overall number of stroke fatalities might reach 6.4 million if these risk factors were not managed or avoided. 

(Source: https://www.medindia.net/news/stroke-deaths-expected-to-increase-to-nearly-5-million-by-2030-211837-1.htm )