COVID-19 patients vulnerable to stroke, medical experts find

Nov 26, 2020 6:47:45 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 26) — About 2.2% of COVID-19 patients in the country suffered a stroke, according to a nationwide study.

Dr. Epifania Collantes, head of stroke services at the Philippine General Hospital, discussed in a media briefing on Thursday the results of the Philippine CORONA Study, an interim analysis conducted by researchers from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital.

Neurologists from 37 major hospitals nationwide participated in the study which found that 62 out of 2,792 COVID-19 patients had acute stroke.

“Yung [coronavirus] pag na-inhale so pupunta sa receptors sa nasal, papunta sa brain. Halimbawa nandito sa daanan ng dugo, nagkakaroon ng inflammation sa daanan ng dugo,” Collantes said.

[Translation: Coronavirus when inhaled goes to nasal receptors and then to the brain. For example, there could be inflammation of the blood vessels.]

“’Pag inflamed, nagre-release sila ng substance. Itong mga substances na ito nagko-cause ng pamamaga ng utak, ‘pag namaga yung utak, o kaya nagkaroon ng inflammation ‘yung lining ng brain – ang sinasabi doon meningitis… namamaga’ yung brain o kaya nagkakaroon ng stroke,” she added.

[Translation: Once inflamed, they release substances. These substances cause the inflammation of the brain or a lining in the brain, we call that meningitis. The brain becomes inflamed or stroke is experienced.]

Collantes said the elderly are primarily at risk since they also suffer from mild and severe symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Young people with an unhealthy lifestyle are also vulnerable, including those under extreme stress, do not eat well, lack sleep, or have vices.

Collantes said the risk of dying among those who suffer from stroke increases if they have COVID-19 – from 5% to around 35%.

She said it is also important to monitor the patient’s condition six to eight months after recovery for cognitive problems. Recovered stroke patients are most likely to have Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

The country has recorded more than 424,000 coronavirus disease cases, including 8,242 deaths and over 387,000 recoveries. Of the currently ill patients, majority or around 83% have mild symptoms, while 8% are under severe or critical condition. Others do not exhibit any symptoms at all.

SOURCE: https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/11/26/COVID-19-stroke-philippine-study.html