Reference:
Varatharaj, Aravinthan, et al. “Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Complications of COVID-19 in 153 Patients: a UK-Wide Surveillance Study.” The Lancet Psychiatry, vol. 7, no. 10, Oct. 2020, pp. 875–882., doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30287-X.
“Stroke Signs and Symptoms.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Aug. 2020, www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm.
“Stroke Signs and Symptoms.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Aug. 2020, www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm.
What is Stroke?
A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Most strokes are ischemic strokes which are the result of a blocked artery needed to supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability and death in the U.S.
Some signs of stroke include:
Some signs of stroke include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, or difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
- Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden difficulty walking; dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
How is COVID-19 related to stroke?
Experimental Design:
In April, researchers in the UK created a database to collect clinical information on neurological symptoms found in COVID-19 patients. They wanted to understand how COVID-19 affects the brain and mental health. The researchers looked at 153 patients across different age groups and sex. They organized the neurological symptoms found in these patients into several categories: 1) cerebrovascular events (strokes); 2) altered mental status (personality and behavioral changes); and 3) damage to nerves.
Results:
- 77 (62%) of 125 patients presented with a cerebrovascular event of whom:
- 57 (74%) had an ischaemic stroke. This was the most common type of event.
- Nine (12%) had intracerebral haemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain.
- One (1%) had CNS vasculitis, inflammation of blood vessels in the brain and spine.
- 82% of patients with cerebrovascular symptoms were also older than 60
What does this mean?
In addition to symptoms like fever, difficulty breathing, and fatigue, COVID-19 can cause serious neurological complications including stroke, especially in people above 60 years of age. You can reduce your risk and prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask that fits, practicing social distancing and washing your hands frequently.
