New Study: Brain Injuries Raise Victim’s Risk of Stroke

 Posted on May 07,2021 in Personal Injury

It has been well documented that even a minor brain injury can result in major issues, leaving a victim dealing with confusion, headaches, coordination issues, and even seizures. Multiple studies reveal that years after the injury has healed, a victim could have new medical problems that are triggered by that brain injury. In one new study, researchers in the U.K. have determined that victims who sustain a traumatic brain injury have a significantly increased risk for stroke years after the initial injury.

The Study

The study was done by researchers from the University of Birmingham's Institute of Applied Research, using data collected from 18 different studies conducted in four countries. The compiled data revealed that people who had sustained brain injuries had an 86 percent higher risk of suffering a stroke than people without brain injuries. That risk is highest during the first four months following the injury, but a victim still has a significant risk of stroke for up to five years later. Even more alarming, the studies show that the severity of the brain injury made no difference in a victim’s stroke risk. Since more than 70 percent of brain injuries are considered “mild,” the study team suggests that any brain injury should be deemed a “chronic condition” even if the victim has recovered.

Long-Term Effects of Brain Injuries

This study is not the first to reveal that brain injuries have a significant long-term impact on victims’ lives. Prior studies have found brain injuries increase the risk of many neurological conditions, including dementia, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that approximately 2.5 million people suffer brain injuries each year. Vehicle accidents and falls are responsible for almost half of these injuries. When a victim suffers a brain injury, the recovery and rehabilitation process can be a long and painful one. Many victims are left with high medical bills and are usually unable to work while they recover. The brain injury may also leave them with life-long disabilities, and as many of these studies show, at risk for dangerous medical conditions later in life.

Contact a Fort Collins Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the economic and noneconomic losses you have sustained. Contact Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. to find out how our firm can help you recover the damages you deserve. Call 970-225-2190 today to schedule a free consultation with one of our dedicated Larimer County brain injury attorneys.

Sources:

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-04-21/brain-injuries-raise-long-term-risk-of-stroke

http://www.braintrauma.org/faq