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Stroke: Who is at risk and how can you protect yourself?

Stroke is one of the most serious complications of cardiovascular disease. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 12 million cases of stroke are recorded worldwide each year, and about half of them are fatal or lead to disability. At the same time, experts note that up to 80% of strokes can be prevented if predisposing factors are diagnosed in a timely manner.

Why does a stroke occur?

A stroke is characterised by an acute disruption of blood flow in the brain. But the biggest misconception is that a stroke happens unexpectedly. In fact, a vascular catastrophe is the result of a long-term pathological process that can develop over years. A number of factors influence the likelihood of developing a stroke:

arterial hypertension
diabetes mellitus
metabolic syndrome
chronic inflammation
high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL)
increased blood clotting
genetic predisposition (e.g., high levels of lipoprotein (a) or homocysteine)
smoking, sedentary lifestyle, excess weight

The problem is that these conditions can be asymptomatic, remaining unnoticed until a critical moment.

How to identify stroke risk?

Modern laboratory diagnostics allow determining the main biomarkers of vascular risk, even if a person feels healthy. For this purpose, the OLYMP CDL has developed specialised laboratory panels called "Stroke Risk" - tests adapted to different clinical situations.

Stroke Risk, Basic Panel

Designed for initial screening. Includes:

Complete blood count (CBC)
Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL
Atherogenic index
Non-HDL cholesterol and remnant cholesterol
Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c)
C-reactive protein (high sensitivity, CRP cardio)

Indicated for high blood pressure, excess weight, and hereditary predisposition.

"Complete stroke risk" panel

Extended examination with test of the coagulation system and metabolic disorders:

All tests from the basic panel
Triglycerides
Homocysteine
Coagulogram (fibrinogen, APTT, PT, DFX, PTI, INR)

Recommended for diabetes mellitus, preparation for surgery, hormone therapy.

Stroke Risk, Extended Panel

Optimal coverage of risk factors, including thrombosis and genetic markers:

All tests from the complete panel
D-dimer
Lipoprotein (a)

Recommended for patients who have had a stroke, TIA, thrombophilia, or high cardiovascular risk.

Taking care of your health starts with understanding your risks. Modern laboratory diagnostics allow us to see hidden threats before they lead to disease. After all, preventing disease is much easier than dealing with its consequences