What is life expectancy after a stroke?

introduction

Having a stroke is a big event in life. Certain symptoms such as Paralysis or speech disorders are very scary. Some strokes are bad, others are milder. First of all, the patients and their relatives want to get through the first phase and get rid of the severe symptoms. This process usually takes a long time to complete. Some patients may go to rehab after a shorter period of time, while others may need intensive care treatment. Often times, patients and relatives are concerned with whether the symptoms they have suffered will completely go away. Another important question is: how does this stroke affect my life expectancy? More precisely: what is the life expectancy immediately after a stroke and what is the long-term life expectancy if you have survived the stroke well?

You might also be interested in this topic: Healing after a stroke or These are the consequences of a stroke!

So is life expectancy

Life expectancy after a stroke depends on:

  1. Course and severity of the stroke,

  2. the general condition of the patient

  3. and the age of the patient.

A poor general condition with already many illnesses and old age go hand in hand with a worse life expectancy than a good general condition without illnesses and a young age. During the inpatient stay, the patients are closely monitored. in order to be able to detect possible deteriorations in the condition as quickly as possible and then to react accordingly. If complications arise such as Another stroke, bleeding into the area of ​​the brain affected by the stroke, a heart attack or difficulty swallowing when swallowing food or beverages can all have a negative impact on life expectancy in the early phase.

In the long term, the patient's previous illnesses play an important role. The causal disease for the stroke should be identified if possible and then treated at all costs to prevent another stroke. Diseases such as high blood pressure or heart disease, calcification of the vessels (atherosclerosis) and strokes that have occurred in the past, existing overweight or existing diabetes (diabetes) are important diseases in relation to stroke. But other diseases that worsen the general condition also tend to have a negative effect on life expectancy. Smoking is also a factor that plays an important role in this context. In summary, it can be said that correct therapy of existing diseases, especially those of the cardiovascular system and blood sugar, are important factors when it comes to life expectancy after a stroke.

In general, a stroke has a rather negative impact on life expectancy, but this depends on various accompanying factors, as described.

Read more on this topic at: Prevent a stroke

These measures have a positive effect on life expectancy

It is important to find out the cause of the stroke so that possible further strokes can be prevented. This usually happens in the hospital. Possible causes of a stroke can include Be atherosclerosis or a heart condition.

The change in lifestyle has an influence on the course and life expectancy. A healthy lifestyle includes strict no nicotine use. It is extremely important to stop smoking after a stroke (ideally before). A healthy diet also plays a vital role. You should avoid unhealthy foods as much as possible, such as Cream, french fries, fatty meat and sugary drinks and foods. A healthy diet includes, among other things lots of vegetables and fruits, fish and lean meat and whole grains. This diet is often referred to as the Mediterranean style of eating. Finally, you should also pay attention to exercise. The intensity and duration of exercise should pay attention to the age and physical condition and age of the patient. In general, the recommendation is to do endurance sports for at least 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. But this is only the minimum recommendation, you can also do more sport if you are physically in shape. However, it is advisable to exercise a lot in everyday life, such as Walking shorter distances, cycling, or even leaving the elevator standing and taking the stairs.

The early detection of a stroke is important for the course so that you can get to a neurological clinic that can treat the stroke as quickly as possible. This is an important factor for the later process. It's always said: Time is brain!

How to recognize a stroke can be found on the following page: Signs of a stroke

These measures have a negative impact on life expectancy

It is unfavorable to disregard the therapy recommendations of the doctor. If, while searching for the cause, you come across an explanation for the stroke that you can treat, such as heart disease or hardening of the arteries should take the recommended medication. This is important to prevent another stroke.

As mentioned in the previous section, lifestyle factors are an important aspect of life expectancy. Continued use of nicotine, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet all have a negative impact on life expectancy.

Recognizing the stroke at a late stage can have less favorable effects on the course. As mentioned in the section above, the rule is: Time is Brain.

You might also be interested in this topic: How to quit smoking

Life expectancy in a dog with a stroke

In dogs, similar to humans, the extent of the stroke and the general condition of the dog play a role in life expectancy. A very serious stroke therefore has a poorer life expectancy than a stroke with a mild course. In addition, a dog with many pre-existing conditions has a poorer life expectancy than a dog in good general condition without many pre-existing conditions.

You can find detailed information on this topic at: Stroke in the dog