Prior Stroke Significantly Raises Mortality Risk After Heart Attack

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Patients with prior stroke face significantly higher mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), particularly if they have residual neurological disability. A study analyzed over 10,000 AMI patients categorized by stroke history and disability level using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

Among the cohort, 8.9% had prior strokes. Those with minimal disability (mRS 0-1) faced a 42% increase in all-cause mortality and a 46% rise in cardiovascular mortality. Risks more than doubled for patients with post-stroke disabilities.

Neurological dysfunction post-stroke may signal heightened vulnerability due to comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes. Researchers recommend integrating mRS assessments into cardiovascular risk evaluations and enhancing secondary prevention strategies.