When you think of stroke and stroke victims, what do you think of? Usually, we attribute strokes to older populations and those with underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. There is another, lesser known common cause of stroke that researchers have found a five-fold increase in hospitalizations for. This cause is one that can happen to anyone.
A Surprisingly Common Cause of Stroke
New research looking at hospitalizations for stroke found a large increase in admittance for this common cause: Cervical artery dissection. This is quickly rising as a common cause of stroke in the United States. Cervical artery dissection is a condition characterized by a tear in an artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. This tear then potentially leads to the formation of blood clots and a subsequent stroke. The researchers studying this looked at studies and research spanning over a 15-year period.
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Causes and Impact
Cervical artery dissection is primarily attributed to trauma. The most common cause of trauma is from motor vehicle accidents, but it can also be due to minor injuries and activities like heavy lifting. Dr. Shadi Yaghi from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, asserts the critical nature of promptly detecting cervical artery dissection to prevent long-term disabilities, poor mental health, and diminished quality of life resulting from non-fatal strokes.
“Cervical artery dissection is an important cause of stroke, especially in people under 50, so it is crucial to detect it right away,” said Dr. Yaghi. “Strokes that are not fatal can lead to long-term disability, poor mental health and reduced quality of life. Our research found a dramatic increase in the number of hospitalizations for cervical artery dissection with rates rising steadily year over year.”
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About the Study
The research team completed a comprehensive analysis of 15 years of U.S. health data. Through their analysis, they identified a staggering 125,102 hospitalizations for cervical artery dissection. The participants in the study had an average age of 51, with over half experiencing a stroke simultaneously with the dissection. This means that most people experienced stroke immediately with the dissection, but not everyone. For some, the stroke came some time after the arterial dissection occurred. While 65% of the participants were white, 10% were Black, 8% were Hispanic, 3% were Asian or Pacific Islander, and 14% belonged to other racial groups.
Alarming Increase
The most shocking part of the research was the increase in cases of stroke because of arterial dissection over the 15 year period. In 2005, the prevalence was just 11 cases per one million people in the United States. By 2019, that had risen to 46 in one million. While this may not seem like that many people, it is the increase that is concerning. This reflects an average increase of 10% per year. Notably, the average annual increase was consistent across genders, although there were variations among different racial groups and age brackets, with Hispanic and Black participants experiencing higher increases, and those aged 65 and older displaying a greater surge in comparison to their younger counterparts.
Probable Reasons and Implications
So what’s the whole point of this research, and should you be concerned about it yourself? Firstly, this research is important for physicians. Dr. Yaghi says that this should trigger a heightened awareness of this cause of stroke among healthcare professionals. This is especially considering that the numbers are actually higher, given the probable number of untreated or undiagnosed cases. If more doctors are aware and therefore know to look for this when they receive trauma or stroke patients, they can potentially lessen the impact of a stroke or prevent one altogether.
Understanding Arterial Dissection
For us, as the general public, it is important for us to be aware, as well. There are many causes of arterial dissection, and they don’t need to be as big as a car crash to cause this problem. Potential causes can include:
- Connective tissue disorders
- Neck trauma
- history of trauma, such as whiplash
- Extreme head positions for long periods of time, for example, painting a ceiling
- Rapid head movements, for example, from a roller coaster or the chiropractor
- Weightlifting and carrying heavy objects
- Recent Illness
- An illness that has caused heavy vomiting
- Upper respiratory infection that has caused heavy coughing
- Smoking
- High blood pressure and hardened arteries
Symptoms of an arterial dissection are severe and sudden head pain, particularly behind one eye, severe neck pain, and stroke-like symptoms. This pain usually comes on suddenly, doesn’t go away, and resembles a cluster headache, migraine, or thunderclap headache. If you have recently experienced any of the potential causes listed above and are experiencing these symptoms, go seek medical attention right away. Explain your symptoms, what you think it might be and why, and ask for the physician to check.
The Bottom Line
The findings of this study not only shed light on the concerning increase in hospitalizations for cervical artery dissection but also emphasize the pressing need for further research and intervention to address this escalating public health concern. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or have experienced any kind of head or neck trauma, seek medical attention right away.
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