Stroke risk greatly increased after heart attack

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – A pronounced increase in the risk of stroke is seen following a heart attack, a new study shows. Moreover, stroke seems to dramatically increase the risk of dying after a heart attack.

The findings, which appear in the Annals of Internal Medicine, are based on a study of people living in Rochester, Minnesota who experienced a first heart attack between 1979 and 1998. Stroke was identified by screening medical records and then later confirmed with physician review.

A total of 2160 patients who had experienced a heart attack were followed for around 6 years, senior author Dr. Veronique L. Roger, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and colleagues note.

In the 30 days after a heart attack, the risk of stroke was 44 times higher than that seen in people without a previous heart attack. Moreover, a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of stroke remained during the first 3 years after a heart attack.

Risk factors for stroke included older age, previous stroke, and diabetes, the report indicates. People who had a stroke after a heart attack had a nearly threefold greater risk of dying.

"The devastating impact of stroke on survival and the increased number of patients at risk because of improved survival after (a heart attack) constitute an important public health matter for persons with coronary disease," the team concludes.

SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, December 6, 2005.