Greater risk of a stroke after a heart attack

According to a new study in the U.S., there is a marked increase in the risk of stroke following a heart attack.

More concerning is that the stroke seems to dramatically increase the risk of dying after a heart attack.

The findings are based on a study of people living in Rochester, Minnesota who experienced a first heart attack between 1979 and 1998.

By screening medical records and then later confirming with physician reviews, incidents of stroke were identified.

In the study 2160 patients who had experienced a heart attack were closely monitored for around 6 years.

Senior author Dr. Veronique L. Roger, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and colleagues says that in the 30 days after a heart attack, the risk of stroke was seen to be 44 times higher than that seen in people without a previous heart attack.

Also seen was that a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of stroke remained during the first 3 years after a heart attack.

The report says the main risk factors for stroke included older age, previous stroke, and diabetes.

Apparently people who had a stroke after a heart attack had a nearly threefold greater risk of dying.

The team concluded that the devastating impact of stroke on survival and the increased number of patients at risk because of improved survival after a heart attack, represent an important public health matter for those with coronary disease.

The study is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, December 6, 2005.