Researchers have made a significant breakthrough that could help predict stroke risk for over 100 million individuals globally. This discovery could potentially save lives as approximately 6.7 million people die from strokes each year.
The study, led by Dr. Mingguang He from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, involved an extensive analysis of blood vessel structures in the retina of a large sample group. This analysis has enabled the creation of a unique fingerprint of blood vessels, which can reveal critical information about a person's cardiovascular health.
Notably, the blood vessels in the retina share similarities with those in the brain, allowing researchers to identify and anticipate potential damage to cerebral blood vessels resulting from conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
The research was based on data from 45,161 participants with an average age of 55, monitored over approximately 12.5 years. During the study, 749 participants experienced strokes, predominantly among older, overweight male smokers with diabetes, high blood pressure, and elevated LDL cholesterol levels—all known risk factors for stroke.