Posts Tagged ‘Stroke’
Stroke due to HIV virus
People living with HIV would be three times more likely to suffer a stroke (CVA) than those without the AIDS virus, according to a study by U.S. researchers.
According to a study conducted in the United States, although stroke rates in that country declined by 7.2% in 2006 compared to 1997, during the same period increased 67% among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus HIV and concluded that most of the increase occurred in strokes caused by a blood clot in the brain, known as ischemic strokes, which are the most common.
“In general, strokes in patients with HIV are not common, so the increase is remarkable,” said Dr. Bruce Obviate, University of California at San Diego Healthcare System Veterans Affairs San Diego, whose study was published in the journal Neurology.
According to reports, the team analyzed information on hospital discharge of patients from a nationally representative sample that included people between 1997 and 2006.
Anyway, it was reported that the study does not indicate why stroke rates are increasing among people with HIV / AIDS, but experts said the research period coincides with the expanded use of drugs to treat HIV infection.
As strokes occur more frequently with advanced age, could be influencing that patients with HIV who are taking medication live longer.
However, suffered a stroke during the study tended to have between 50 and 60, an age younger than the one usually associated with strokes. “Therefore, strong cocktail of drugs against HIV would be playing an important role,” said Obviate.
Some studies showed that drugs to treat this virus affect the levels of fat and blood sugar, both of which are closely linked to the stroke, he said.
The scientist said that people with HIV need to take medication against the virus the rest of their lives, so physicians should be aware of the possible risk of stroke and age. In this context, the research team now wants to study more about the relationship between the drugs for this virus and strokes.
Increased heart disease 2011
After analyzing 34,670 women between 39 and 73 years who had no cardiovascular disease or cancer at baseline in 1997, the team of Dr. Susanna Larsson of the Karolin’s Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, found that participants who consumed large amounts of red meat (at least 102 grams per day) showed a 42% higher chance of suffering a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), compared with women who ate less meat (25 grams per day).
Researchers reported the findings of experience in a recent issue of the journal Stroke. They claimed that within 10 years of the work, 1,680 (4% of participants) suffered a stroke.
This is the first study in years to establish a connection, applicable to the female, between red meat consumption and the possibility of having a stroke.
“The most common was ischemic stroke, which occurs as a result of blockage of an artery that is responsible for delivering blood to the brain. Such occurred in 78% of cases. The rest belong to other accidents unspecified causes or cerebral hemorrhage, experts presented their conclusions.
On the other hand added that “no relationship was detected between the possibility of stroke and the consumption of fresh meat (the analysis is performed on processed red meat) or farm products.”
As a possible explanation, the team led by Dr. Larsson said: “Several mechanisms explain the association between processed meat and risk of stroke. However, we believe that the first point is the connection between the consumption of that food type and hypertension, major risk factors when we think of strokes. “
Moreover, the experts added: “We must not fail to consider the iron accelerates the production of free radicals that damage tissue. Finally, the processed red meat is rich in sodium, a mineral that increases blood pressure. “