What Is The Life Expectancy After A Brain Stroke?

The treatment options from the neurologist, including rehabilitation, for stroke survivors have become much more advanced and easily accessible and Stroke continues to be among the top three leading causes of death globally.

Among stroke survivors:

• Total rehabilitation is a lifelong undertaking.
• Life expectancy can be affected.

A Danish study on over 5000 patients found:

• The chances of death among those who suffered a stroke in the last year are five times higher than those who have never had a stroke.
• The chances of death for those who suffered a stroke more than a year ago are still two times higher than for non-patients.

Another study found:

• 36% of stroke patients did not survive beyond the first month.
• Of the remaining patients:
• 60% of those suffering from an ischemic stroke survived one year.
• Only 31% made it past the five-year mark.

What is Intracerebral Haemorrhage ?

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a type of stroke caused by bleeding within the brain tissue itself. This bleeding can occur due to the rupture of ahaemorrhagel, leading to the accumulation of blood that damages brain cells and disrupts normal brain function.

Symptoms May Include

Symptoms of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) can vary depending on the location and extent of the bleeding, but common signs include:

• Sudden Severe Headache: Often described as the worst headache ever experienced.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Frequently associated with increased intracranial pressure.
• Altered Consciousness: Ranging from confusion to loss of consciousness or coma.
• Neurological Deficits: Such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or vision problems.
• Seizures: May occur if the bleeding irritates the brain.
• Loss of Coordination: Difficulty walking or maintaining balance.

Survival Rate of Intracerebral Haemorrhage

These numbers stood at 38% and 24%, respectively, for the patients suffering from intracerebral haemorrhage- this indicates that the long-term survival rate of intracerebral haemorrhage is better than that of ischemic stroke.

• Younger patients had a higher likelihood of survival:
  • Under 50: 57% survival rate
  • Over 70: 9% survival rate
• By the end of the study, more than 70% of patients had expired.
• Another independent study revealed similar results:
  • 37% of patients died within three weeks of suffering a stroke.
  • 64% of patients had died by the end of the third year.
  • 72% had died by the end of the fifth year.
  • 77% of patients had died by the end of the seventh year.

A recent Dutch study focused on long-term survival rates among 18 to 50-year-olds.

Findings for those who survived past the one-month mark:

• 27% chance of death within twenty years for ischemic stroke survivors.
• 25% chance of death within twenty years for T.I.A. (Transient Ischemic Attack) survivors, despite T.I.A. having temporary symptoms that resolve within hours.
• Almost 14% chance of death within twenty years for those with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Study of Long-Term Survival Rates Among the Elderly

A recent Canadian study conducted on those who suffered a stroke when they were 61 years or older found that more than 24%of those aged 80 and above demised during their hospital stays. In contrast, the corresponding numbers for those in the 70 to 79 age group were:

• Around 13%
• 9% for those in the 60 to 69 age group
• Less than 6% for those under 59 years of age

Not only a lower life expectancy, stroke survivors, more often than not, also have a lower quality of life, accentuating the need not only for better stroke prevention but also better stroke recuperation.

The combined impact of medication, anxiety, impact on earning potential, and the impact on social life can affect the quality of life.Stroke can essentially decrease patients’ capacity to walk, perform routine tasks, and care for individual needs, such as

• Bathing
• Eating
• Dressing

Intercessions such as physiotherapy and speech and language therapy can enable patients to recuperate some of their “freedom”. However, this recovery will largely depend on whether or not the medical intervention had been provided within 3 to 4 hours of suffering the stroke.

Know About B.E.F.A.S.T Test

The B.E.F.A.S.T. test helps identify stroke symptoms: Balance issues, Eye problems, Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to act. Recognizing these signs quickly is critical for effective treatment. Immediate medical attention can significantly improve outcomes. on a person showing the symptoms mentioned above cannot be emphasized enough.

Frequently Asked Questions