Stroke Rates and Sickle Cell Disease: A Rising Health Concern
Understanding the Rising Stroke Rates in Sickle Cell Disease
Stroke rates continue to rise among adults and children living with sickle cell disease, despite new standards of care meant to lower their risk, a new study finds.
Key Findings from Recent Research
- Stroke rates among people with sickle cell disease remain alarmingly high.
- The risk of brain-bleed stroke increases 13-fold between ages 20 and 60.
- Doctors may not be performing adequate brain ultrasounds or blood transfusions for at-risk patients.
Importance of Preventive Care
The rising stroke rates emphasize the need for regular screenings for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other risk factors in adults with sickle cell disease.
As hematologists, our training often focuses on young children, yet attention should also be directed toward adult patients, who require preventive measures just as critical as those for the general population.
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