In a major update to its stroke prevention guidelines, the American Stroke Association (ASA) announced Monday that up to 80 percent of the 610,000 first-time strokes that occur every year could be prevented through early screening and lifestyle changes.
With strokes claiming nearly 160,000 lives each year in the United States, the ASA’s new guidelines call for proactive prevention measures.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, causing brain damage and potentially severe disabilities affecting thinking, speech, and mobility. Health disparities make certain populations more susceptible, underscoring the need for enhanced screening and prevention.
The updated 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke, the first revision since 2014, emphasizes routine screening for key risk factors, including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar, and obesity….