Ischemic stroke-risk factors and early neurological diagnosis

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is most commonly caused by arterial occlusion due to thrombosis or embolism and remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. The strongest prevention impact comes from identifying and controlling modifiable risk factors, especially hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. Early neurological diagnosis is time-critical because reperfusion therapies are highly time-dependent. Modern acute stroke pathways prioritize rapid clinical recognition (prehospital stroke scales), immediate neurological severity assessment (e.g., NIHSS), urgent brain imaging—most often non-contrast CT—and targeted laboratory tests, with parallel evaluation for intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy in eligible patients.