Strokes are on the rise—and these are the reasons why

The part ambient air temperature plays in stroke is not straightforward, though. Despite the larger role of higher temperatures in stroke risk—and the predicted overall increase in U.S. and global deaths from heat due to climate change—temperature extremes in both directions matter. A global study this year and other recent research have found that cold temperatures have a bigger impact on stroke rates and deaths than hot temperatures.

What it all means for treatment and prevention

The takeaways from these findings are a mixed bag, Schrag says. More people are surviving strokes and living longer thanks to advancements in acute care and rehabilitation. But the higher proportion of stroke survivors also exacts a cost on society and on their caregivers. “It’s a good thing, but it also creates challenges,” Schrag says.

Prevention is a huge untapped opportunity. “You reduce blood pressure today, and tomorrow you reduce incidence of strokes,” Feigin says. And the vast majority of strokes are preventable, he adds.

For individuals, the first step is understanding their risk whether from lifestyle or family history, says Richard Temes, a neurologist at Northwell Health in New York. One major lifestyle change to lower blood pressure is reducing sodium intake, Feigin says. Ultra-processed foods are the biggest source of salt in our diets, he says. Changing one aspect of lifestyle can have a ripple effect. “Weight, hypertension, low physical activity, diet—all these lifestyle factors are interlinked,” he says. “You take one and make positive changes, and you influence others.” 

Imoisili agrees: “It’s important to decrease your stroke risk by taking control of your health,” which also includes not smoking, limiting alcohol, controlling your cholesterol, and treating chronic conditions like diabetes.