Epidemiology and Management of Ischemic Stroke

Ischaemic stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Incidence varies with geography, socioeconomic status and demographic factors, with higher rates observed in low- and middle-income regions. Major modifiable risk factors include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, smoking and obesity, while non-modifiable factors span age, sex and genetic predisposition. Recent analyses demonstrate an overall decline in age-standardised mortality in high-income countries, reflecting improvements in primary prevention and acute care, yet absolute case numbers continue to rise due to population ageing. Optimal management comprises rapid identification, neuroimaging to confirm vessel occlusion and prompt reperfusion therapy. Intravenous thrombolysis within a narrow therapeutic window and endovascular thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusions have revolutionised acute treatment, reducing infarct size and improving functional outcomes. Secondary prevention hinges on antithrombotic therapy, rigorous control of vascular risk factors and lifestyle modification. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, initiated early, addresses motor, cognitive and psychosocial sequelae but remains unevenly accessible, particularly in resource-limited settings. Emerging data highlight the potential of telemedicine and community-based programmes to bridge gaps in continuity of care. Despite advances, disparities persist in access to specialised stroke centres, underlining the need for tailored health systems responses and global collaboration to ensure equitable delivery of evidence-based interventions.

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Epidemiology and Management of Ischemic Stroke publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in epidemiology and management of ischemic stroke across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Ischaemic stroke: Cerebral infarction resulting from arterial occlusion and interrupted blood flow.

Thrombolysis: Pharmacological dissolution of intravascular clots using fibrinolytic agents.

Mechanical thrombectomy: Endovascular removal of large intracranial thrombi via catheter-based devices.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA): Brief, reversible cerebral ischaemia without infarction.

Disability-adjusted life year (DALY): Composite measure of years lost to premature death and disability.

References

1. Secondary prevention with a structured semi-interactive stroke prevention package in INDIA (SPRINT INDIA): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Global Health (2023).
2. Burden and trends of stroke attributable to dietary risk factors from 1990 to 2019 in the Belt and Road Initiative countries: an analysis from the global burden of disease study 2019. Frontiers in Nutrition (2023).
3. A descriptive study of stroke types, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes in a tertiary hospital in Myanmar. Tropical Medicine and Health (2024).