Stroke - Outlook

Improvements in stroke treatment in many parts of the world have led to better outcomes, although outlook after a stoke may still be poor for some.[1]

Poorer outcomes are associated with:[1]

• Recurrent stroke
• Previous heart attackThe death of a section of heart muscle caused by an interruption in its blood supply. Also called a myocardial infarction. (myocardial infarctionDeath of an area of heart muscle due to poor blood supply.)
• Atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm)
• High cholesterolA substance present in many tissues and an important constituent of cell membranes although high concentrations of a certain type of cholesterol in the blood are unhealthy. levels

Haemorrhagic strokes - that is, strokes caused by a bleed in or around the brain - are associated with the worst outcomes; meanwhile, 'mini-strokes' (transient ischaemic attacks, or TIAs) are associated with the best outcomes.[2]

Healthcare professionals take a number of factors into account when assessing someone's likelihood of a full recovery after a stroke. These factors include the person's:[3,4]

• Initial symptoms
• Age
• Blood glucoseA simple sugar that is an important source of energy in the body. concentrations
• Body temperature (although it is not known whether a fever itself actually causes worse outcomes, or whether it is simply associated with other factors that lead to worse outcomes)[5]
• Previous stroke history

Disability following a stroke is not only caused by physical impairment; depression, for example, can also contribute.[6]

Complications

Additional medical problems that follow on from a condition such as stroke are called complications. There are many different possible complications from a stroke, and these can prolong a person's hospital stay and interfere with recovery. Such complications include:[7,8]

• Infection
• Falls
• Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
• Seizures
• Depression
• Pressure sores
• Pain