Stroke News and Research

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A stroke is a medical emergency. Strokes happen when blood flow to your brain stops. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. There are two kinds of stroke. The more common kind, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. "Mini-strokes" or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), occur when the blood supply to the brain is briefly interrupted.

Semaglutide lowers cardiovascular events even without major weight loss, researchers report

Semaglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease regardless of baseline adiposity. Cardiovascular benefit was largely independent of overall weight loss, with waist circumference reduction explaining only part of the effect.

11 Feb 2026

High-fat diets cause more damage to metabolic health than carbohydrates

In recent years, many media reports and social media influencers have emphasized the dangers of eating too many carbohydrates.

10 Feb 2026

Defective ASTN1 gene linked to developmental delay and neurological disorders

Nearly 30 years ago, researchers began studying the gene Astn1, which encodes the cell adhesion protein astrotactin 1 in mice, and its role in brain development.

10 Feb 2026

Eating fewer foods of concern may protect the heart beyond pills

A prospective cohort study in adults with hypertension and or hypercholesterolemia found that lower intake of ultra processed foods or foods flagged by front of pack nutrition warnings was associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. These associations persisted regardless of cardioprotective medication use, suggesting dietary quality contributes independently to cardiovascular prevention.

10 Feb 2026

IRF7 reshapes the behavior of vascular smooth muscle cells during atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis underlies most heart attacks and strokes and is now recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease rather than a simple disorder of cholesterol deposition.

9 Feb 2026

Most statin side effects are not backed by trials

Research indicates that many statin therapy side effects are not supported by evidence, suggesting a need for revised labeling to improve treatment decisions.

9 Feb 2026

AI stethoscope doubles detection of serious valve disease in primary care study

A prospective primary care study found that an AI-enabled digital stethoscope substantially improved sensitivity for detecting clinically significant valvular heart disease compared with standard auscultation. The technology identified more previously undiagnosed moderate-to-severe disease but showed reduced specificity, highlighting a trade-off between earlier detection and potential false positives.

8 Feb 2026

Novel neuroprotective drug improves recovery after acute ischemic stroke

Stroke patients treated intravenously with loberamisal, a novel neuroprotective medication, daily for 10 days and starting within 48 hours of stroke symptoms, had better recovery than patients who received a placebo, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

7 Feb 2026

High-dose motor therapy improves outcomes after perinatal stroke

In infants and toddlers who had a stroke before birth or as a newborn (28 days or younger), a treatment that combined restricting the use of the stronger arm with intensive task-oriented physical therapy led to improved function and skill gained on the weak side compared to standard care, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

7 Feb 2026

Moderate exercise lowers atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation

New research from CU Anschutz scientists suggests that staying physically active after heart rhythm treatment may significantly reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) returning, offering patients a simple, low-cost way to support long-term heart health.

7 Feb 2026

AI system reads brain MRIs with high diagnostic accuracy

An AI-powered model developed at University of Michigan can read a brain MRI and diagnose a person in seconds, a study suggests.

6 Feb 2026

4D-printed vascular stents expand naturally at body temperature

Cardiovascular diseases constitute a major global health concern. Various complications that affect normal blood flow in arteries and veins, such as stroke, blood clot formation in veins, blood vessel rupture, and coronary artery disease, often require vascular treatments.

6 Feb 2026

Investigational anti-clotting drug reduces risk of second ischemic stroke without bleeding concerns

An investigational anti-clotting medication, asundexian, demonstrated a reduction in the risk of a second ischemic (clot-caused) stroke without raising bleeding concerns, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

6 Feb 2026

Large trials show statins rarely cause reported side effects

Cardiovascular disease results in around 20 million deaths worldwide and causes around a quarter of all deaths in the UK.

5 Feb 2026

New survey reveals widespread myths about Hands-Only CPR

New consumer survey findings from the American Heart Association show that nearly six in every ten American adults still incorrectly believe only those with special training should perform Hands-Only CPR.

4 Feb 2026

Carotid artery procedures do not improve cognitive performance

Improving blood flow to the brain by opening a narrowed neck artery may not improve patients' cognitive skills, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

4 Feb 2026

Post-thrombectomy alteplase linked to better stroke outcomes

Giving the clot-busting medication alteplase at the site of a blocked brain artery after blood clot removal may increase the number of patients who fully recover, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

4 Feb 2026

Mediterranean diet may protect women against all stroke types

Following a Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of all types of stroke among women, according to a study published on February 4, 2026, in Neurology Open Access, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

4 Feb 2026

Cardiologists highlight overlooked heart risks across women’s lives

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet awareness of cardiovascular risk—particularly among younger women and women of color—has stalled, even as rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol continue to rise.

3 Feb 2026

Targeted therapy for the less impaired arm improves movement for stroke survivors

Traditional stroke rehabilitation therapy focuses on restoring strength and movement to the more impaired side of the body, but a new randomized clinical trial has revealed that targeted therapy for the less impaired arm significantly improved movement and control for stroke survivors.

2 Feb 2026