Pope Francis’ Death: Here’s What You Should Know About Stroke Risk

Gillian Gordon Perue, MD

Over the past few years, Pope Francis has battled a number of health issues. Most recently, he was hospitalized with double pneumonia. Almost one month after discharge, Pope Francis suffered a stroke that eventually led to his death.

A stroke occurs when an area of the brain is damaged from lack of oxygen. This can result in the loss of a body part’s normal function such as speech, movement, or sensation.

The effects of a stroke depend on which region of the brain is affected. Brain cells start to die within minutes, and the damage can be irreversible. Some signs and symptoms of stroke include trouble speaking, confusion, paralysis, or numbness.

Although stroke risk increases with age, and widely affects individuals over the age of 65, one third of individuals who suffer from a stroke are younger. There are many factors that can influence your risk:

• Medical risk factors – high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and sleep apnea
• Lifestyle risk factors – heavy drinking, smoking, drug use, and obesity
• Demographics – age, sex, and race

Stroke risks can be managed and reduced by having a healthy lifestyle and treating pre-existing medical conditions. It’s important to recognize the signs of a stroke to prevent irreversible damage. For more information, visit the Florida Stroke Registry.

Talk with your healthcare provider to see how you can manage stroke risk factors.

Juan David Tena – SIG, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons