Is cognitive decline linked to stroke?

Individuals who struggle with cognitive impairment could be more vulnerable to experiencing a stroke.

This is according to new research from the Medical University of South Carolina, which showed how these participants had a 39 per cent heightened risk.

When experts included a wider definition of cognitive impairment, the chances surged to 64 per cent. 

While a stroke is associated with the onset of cognitive decline, scientists are not completely sure if the opposite is also true. Attempts to ascertain whether or not this is the case have not yielded a definitive answer. 

Data concerning more than 121,000 individuals with cognitive impairment was examined and it transpired that 7,799 of them developed a stroke later on.

Dr Bruce Ovbiagele from the Department of Neurology said: "Given the projected substantial rise in the number of older people around the world, prevalence rates of cognitive impairment and stroke are expected to soar over the next several decades, especially in high-income countries."

The full findings of this research can be viewed in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. 

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